NANTALOMBA

CULTURAL CONTEXT

A song of provocation and insults of the 'baratingi', the oldest of the young people in the village, towards the 'baradogono' or younger ones. The youngest are compared to a spider with its legs pulled off called Nantalomba to get them to fight.

The 'baratingi' consider themselves as being the true owners of the 'bara' (space for dancing) and the challenges between the different age groups occur when the dances take place. The circles that correspond to each age group are laid out concentrically aroung the tree planted in the middle of the 'bara'. The leader carries a decorated hatchet called 'djende' and a 'manin fosson', a riding crop braided from hippopotamus skin.

When one of the young boys wishes to join the group of older boys, he moves out of his own circle and dances backwards. He meets the leader of the other group, who asks him "The way?", to which he answers "It is marked on the back!" A reciprocal flagellation then follows, that leads either to the boy's acceptance or rejection by the older group when the men who are present, appreciating the boy's courage, put a stop to the test.

* djembe 2 designated 'Djembe basse'

SONG

Nantalomba, eee

I badaban ikouloula banankou too do woo.

Ido wolo kognouma eee

O you, Nantalomba,

Since you have stuffed yourself with manioc paste

Dance now as you must!