From the Wilderness Travel brochure: "In the morning, we reach a village where we can attend a Zangbeto masked dance. The Zangbeto mask is covered with colored straw and represents wild, non-human spirits, such as the forces of nature and of the time before human beings. The mask-wearers belong to a secret society and keep their identity hidden, as the non-initiated cannot know who they are. When Zangbeto comes out, it is an important event for the village. Its performance guarantees protection against bad spirits and malicious people. The spinning movement of the mask symbolizes the spiritual cleaning of the village, and Zangbeto also performs miracles to prove its powers."
This is the third mask ceremony we have encountered on this tour - each of them distinctive.
This is the third mask ceremony we have encountered on this tour - each of them distinctive.
The elders welcome guests with a ceremonial drink.
The mask spins...
...and is tipped over but there is no sign of the spinner inside.
The mask is returned to upright, and continues its spinning.
This is a farming community, so goats and pigs casually cross the dancing grounds.
The ceremony provides an occasion for happy, vigorous dancing.
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