The Dama, Masked Dance of the Dogon
Through the medium of masks, Dogon dancers carve out an opening into ancestral, spiritual worlds, urging souls onward to the afterlife. The Dama, Through the Eyes of the Observer line of one …
Tag: Masquerade
The Zaouli Mask Dance of the Ivory Coast
A homage to feminine beauty, this traditional West African performance art is protected by UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, 2017 Each Guro village …
The Sogo Bò Masquerade
"We were in the center of the village and children, playing the djembé, poured out from everywhere. Young people announced the performance by blowing through cattle horns; adults were adorned …
The Gèlèdé Spectacle of the Yoruba
The preliminary performances heighten the crowd's excitement and anticipation, for they herald the impending appearance of the master dancers attired in full costumes and elaborately carved headdresses.