Drums from the Past (1971)

Filmed in May 1971 in Niger, this short documentary records a possession ritual performed by the Simiri people in response to a locust invasion. The ceremony centers on the beating of the archaic drums Tourou and Bitti, used to invoke spirit forces through music, dance, and trance. Shot in a single continuous take, the film documents a concentrated moment of collective ritual practice, reflecting Jean Rouch’s first-person ethnographic approach and direct participation in the event.

• Release Date: 1971-01-01
• Runtime: 0h 9min
• Production Company: Comité du film Éthnographique
• Production Country: France
• Director: Jean Rouch