We were treated to a funeral mask dance with about 20 dancers and 15 musicians/singers. The dancers were in different masks. Some were in the 9 ft tall sigi mask, which is used in a special ceremony dance every 60 years for forgiveness of their ancestors' mistakes. Other masks were symbolizing animals, young girls, Kanaga--Mali's well-known symbol of sky/earth/atmosphere, and some dancers were on stilts.
Our tour paid for this performance, but the dancers and musicians all had to do an offering before doing it. There are rules about how and when dances can be done. For this one, Kass our guide had asked the village chief by way of the griot. I could not quite believe that I was standing there, watching that amazing performance in person!
After this, drove to Djenne. The little villages we drove through had some interesting signs. I figured out this one because of a discussion Diane had with "Sam" our medical translator in Ouelessebougou. She was interviewing people about their views and the situation of FGM. It has been a traditional practice for a long time and is still being practiced widely. Recently the government has declared it illegal. I see a few signs that say "Stop Excision". In this one the woman's tongue looks like a knife.
We also stop at a medicine production facility, where they grow natural medicinal plants.
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