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.
Continue reading“Burkina Faso: The Senufo Dozo dry funeral ceremony”