Drums from the Past
Movie DetailsLoading ads...
Multiple player options are available. If one player doesn't work, try another. We do not host any content. If no players load, the movie might not be available. You can switch the language from the player dropdown menu.
Overview
Filmed in May 1971 in Niger, this short documentary records a possession ritual performed by the Simiri people in response to a locust invasion. The ceremony centers on the beating of the archaic drums Tourou and Bitti, used to invoke spirit forces through music, dance, and trance. Shot in a single continuous take, the film documents a concentrated moment of collective ritual practice, reflecting Jean Rouch’s first-person ethnographic approach and direct participation in the event.
