Initiation into the Dance of the Possessed Trailer (1948)
22 February 1948 Factual 22 mins
Filmed in Firgoun, Niger, the film documents an initiation ceremony in which a young Songhay woman undergoes ritual preparation for the dance of possession. Led by zima (ritual priests), the ganandi ceremony teaches the structured movements and ritual practices required for participation in spirit possession rites associated with Kirey, the spirit of thunder. The film records the process through which the initiate is prepared to serve as a ceremonial medium within the community’s ritual tradition.
Watch the official Initiation into the Dance of the Possessed 1948 trailer in HD below or find more Initiation into the Dance of the Possessed videos on Vidimovie.