Bamana Kote is a type of theater that is popular among the Bamana people tribe in Mali. The Bamana people are found specifically in the region of Beledougou which is in French speaking Mali.
Kote is a type of satirical and moralistic brand of theater which is put on in the village by the young men of the village. Some of the characters that you usually see in these performances are as follows: A woman who loses her vagina in the river, a woman who beats her husband, the man with an extremely long penis, a sorceress who eats her children and many more.
The Kote is usually led by the son and daughter of the village chief. While it’s usually the young men who are actors in the Kote, it’s still a community event. Everyone tries to help out in one way or another. The boys who aren’t old enough to perform are usually running around the village obtaining supplies for the actors costumes. The girls sit next to the drummers in order to sing loud and clearly enough. The old men stand at the entrances and exits to make sure everyone is okay. It’s the definition of a community event.
Before the play begins, a group of young boys will perform the kaka. This is to tell the spirits that what’s about to happen is playful and not serious. Then, the play will commence. After the play, there’s a celebration! Meat frying, dancing, music, and enjoyment all around.
While the kote is usually a happy event, there are some negative people who try to mess things up in one way or another. Some people who are jealous of an actor’s ability will try to kill him and his group. Some sorcerers attend the event solely to kill their enemies and more. In order to ensure peace, there are sacrifices that are offered annually. Also, the actors wear special amulets to protect them.
Overall, the Bamana Kote is an amazing experience is definitely a highlight of french speaking malian culture.
Comments
Post a Comment