Drums from the Past (1971)

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.

Genres: Documentary

Stars: N/A

Release Date: 1971-01-01

Country: France

Ratings: 5.9 / 10 (7 votes)

Runtime: 9 mins