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The Bwa people of Burkina Faso perform mask dance ceremonies on occasions such as market days, funerals, and the initiation of young people into adulthood. Each mask takes the form of an animal and represents a spirit that is thought to inhabit the surrounding forests, rivers, and bush country. A Bwa performer honors the spirits by dancing to drums while wearing a mask and a costume made of raffia (palm fiber). His performance helps enlist the spirits’ assistance in protecting the village against evil forces.
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