Drums from the Past
1971•9m•6.3•Released
Documentary
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.
Director
Jean Rouch
Writer
Jean Rouch
Languages
French
Studio
Comité du film Éthnographique
Production
Company
Comité du film Éthnographique
Company
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Company
CNRS Images
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