Africa: Bedik – Land

ambience: Dakota mask sounds

There is a place in Africa where every harvest is blessed by masks, and where a mask is more than just a costume. I’m Jim Metzner, and this is the Pulse of the Planet, presented by DuPont. For the Bedik people in the African nation of Senegal, a mask takes on a personality of its own, a melding of the disguise and the individual inside.

“Just before planting and cultivation, the masks come out of the sacred forest in order to prepare the village by purifying it for a successful harvest period.”

Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher lived among the Bedik and were permitted to photograph some of the tribe’s masking rituals. Right now, we’re listening to the sounds of villagers welcoming the masks into the community. Photographer Carol Beckwith.

“The masks come out to establish control over the village, to give guidance to the villagers, to bless the villagers before harvest and before planting periods in order to ensure success. The Bedik believe that what you take from the land you must give back. They have a system of reciprocity. So the masks are coming out to be honored, to be thanked, and to be given homage to.”

Just as there’s harmony between a mask and the person who wears it, says Angela Fisher, there is also an affinity between the Bedik and their land.

“The Bedik believe that the land was something given to them by the nature world, the spirit world, and that if you make any adjustment to the land, you have to ask permission to do so. So before planting, you have to ask permission of the nature gods.”

Angela Fisher and Carol Beckwith are co-authors of the book “African Ceremonies”.

Pulse of the Planet is presented by DuPont, bringing you the miracles of science, with additional support provided by the National Science Foundation. I’m Jim Metzner.

Africa: Bedik - Land

For the Bedik tribe in the African nation of Senegal, nothing can be done to the land without first asking permission from the spirit world.
Air Date:08/24/2000
Scientist:
Transcript:

ambience: Dakota mask sounds

There is a place in Africa where every harvest is blessed by masks, and where a mask is more than just a costume. I'm Jim Metzner, and this is the Pulse of the Planet, presented by DuPont. For the Bedik people in the African nation of Senegal, a mask takes on a personality of its own, a melding of the disguise and the individual inside.

"Just before planting and cultivation, the masks come out of the sacred forest in order to prepare the village by purifying it for a successful harvest period."

Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher lived among the Bedik and were permitted to photograph some of the tribe's masking rituals. Right now, we're listening to the sounds of villagers welcoming the masks into the community. Photographer Carol Beckwith.

"The masks come out to establish control over the village, to give guidance to the villagers, to bless the villagers before harvest and before planting periods in order to ensure success. The Bedik believe that what you take from the land you must give back. They have a system of reciprocity. So the masks are coming out to be honored, to be thanked, and to be given homage to."

Just as there's harmony between a mask and the person who wears it, says Angela Fisher, there is also an affinity between the Bedik and their land.

"The Bedik believe that the land was something given to them by the nature world, the spirit world, and that if you make any adjustment to the land, you have to ask permission to do so. So before planting, you have to ask permission of the nature gods."

Angela Fisher and Carol Beckwith are co-authors of the book "African Ceremonies".

Pulse of the Planet is presented by DuPont, bringing you the miracles of science, with additional support provided by the National Science Foundation. I'm Jim Metzner.