312762
312762

Drums from the Past

1971-01-01
5.9
fr 9m
Documentary
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.

Director

Jean Rouch

Writer

Jean Rouch

Cinematography

Jean Rouch

Assistant Director

Lam Dia-Hama

Sound Recordist

Moussa' Hamidou

Sound Editor

Philippe Luzuy

dance ritual exorcism niger

Status

Released

Countries

  • France

Companies

  • Comité du film Éthnographique
  • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
  • CNRS Images