
Drums from the Past
1971-01-01 · 9 min · ★ 6.3
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.
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Production details
- Directors
- Jean Rouch
- Production companies
- Comité du film Éthnographique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS Images
- Countries
- France
- Status
- Released
Top Cast
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