Burkina Faso: The Senufo Dozo dry funeral ceremony

Today, the Masks are emerging. They parade and dance to accompany a Dozo hunter toward his afterlife. The crops were bountiful, and the Senufo spirits will surely grant the hunter a warm welcome…

The Senufo People

The Senufo people, with approximately 2.7 million members, represent one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. Their territory spans the borders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire.

In the Bambara language, the word Senufo means “dialect of the farmers,” referring to a traditionally peaceful and agricultural society. The Senufo are renowned for their diligence and pride in their craft. A proverb that best characterizes them is: “I do not quarrel with anyone; it is with the land that I fight.” Migrating over a thousand years ago to escape persecution from the north and east, they settled permanently in these lands due to the exceptional agricultural quality of the soil.

The Senufo area (highlighted in green)

Rice cultivation in Senufo territory

Senufo village

Dozo Hunters

While most Senufo are farmers, some belong to the “Dozo” society. The Dozo are respected hunters throughout West Africa who follow a rigorous code of honor. To become a Dozo, an apprentice must undergo long years of initiation under a Grand Master. This path requires impeccable moral conduct, as the Dozo code is built upon respect for ancestors, honor, and absolute obedience to the master.

Beyond hunting skills, the apprentice is initiated into religious rituals, making regular offerings to bush spirits and fetishes. A Dozo hunter never sets out without reciting secret incantations and wearing his traditional attire: a cotton tunic and trousers dyed in earth tones. These garments are adorned with protective amulets, whistles, mirrors, and horns. Their equipment includes a rifle, a small axe, and a fly-whisk crafted from the tail of a hunted animal.

Dozo with a traditional fly-whisk

A Dozo wearing a tunic covered in amulets

Dozo hunters

The Celebration of Dry Funerals

Senufo funeral ceremonies take place in two distinct stages. First are the “wet funerals,” held shortly after death for a small circle of mourners. Much later—sometimes years after burial—the “Dry Funerals” (known as Yagbaga) are celebrated. These major events occur when the granaries are full, typically during the dry season following the harvest.

Dry Funerals serve to purify and guide the deceased into the afterlife. For several days, the village is filled with activity, punctuated by festivities and funeral dances. Sacred masks, each symbolizing a mystical animal, are brought by delegations from neighboring villages. These masks represent more than just a face covering; they embody the entire costume and the specific dance associated with it. These powerful performances are meant to drive away evil spirits and call upon ancestors to welcome the departed.