Drums from the Past
Drums from the Past
5.9/10 by 7 users
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.
Released Jan 01, 1971
Runtime 0h 9min
Genre Documentary
Actor N/A
Director Jean Rouch
Production Comité du film Éthnographique