TATAYO
PHOTGRAPHY
2020








ANCIENT RITUAL EXPERIENCE BWITI PROPOSES A WAY TO FOCUS ON SOMEONE’S SELF LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS.
DESPITE ITS SECRECY, THIS AESTHETIC CENTRAL AFRICAN CEREMONY HAS STARTED TO ATTRACT PEOPLE FROM WESTERN COUNTRIES INTERESTED IN SUCH KIND OF SHAMANIC EXPERIENCE. 

ALL THE BANZI (PARTICIPANTS BEING INITIATED) HAVE TO GATHER IN THE GUARDHOUSE WHICH INNER PLACE IS CONSIDERED TO BE PROTECTING AND PEACEFUL.

TATAYO THE MEDICINE MAN, MBLLOU THE HARPIST AND INITIATED WOMEN ARE ACCOMPANYING THE BANZI. EVERY MOVEMENT IS MADE WHILE SINGING: FROM THE GUARDHOUSE TO THE PURIFYING RIVER.

THE RITUAL WASHING LASTS HALF OF A DAY. IT IS THE FIRST STEP OF THE WHOLE INITIATION PROCESS THAT CAN LAST FOR DAYS OR WEEKS UNTIL THE BANZI REACH THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CONSCIOUS EXISTENSE

BOKAYE