Among the Baga, a masquerade is a ceremony or celebration which marks an important event in the life of the village. Masquerades are performed for happy occasions such as weddings, sad occasions such as funerals, and serious occasions such as initiations for youth into adulthood. Masquerades are often performed when crops are planted and harvested, or when special guests visit the village.

Many people contribute to a village masquerade: some carve masks, some sew costumes, some play music, some teach and perform the traditional dances, and many come out to participate in the excitement.

Mask
The carefully carved mask or headdress indicates that a spirit is present in the village.

Dance
Most dancers are young men who are strong enough to perform acrobatic movements while carrying a heavy headdress.

Costume
The costume usually covers the dancer so that he cannot be recognized. It is traditionally made of raffia (a type of paper-like fiber) and cloth.

Music
Drums, flutes, metal gongs, and whistles supply music for the dancers. Villagers sing as the masked dancers move around.

Lighting
Some headdresses are seen only during midday, while others appear only in the dimness of dusk or dawn. Still others are only seen at night by torchlight.

Audience Participation
Villagers are important participants in the masquerade. Some remain at the edge of the circle, singing or clapping, but many dance among themselves or move right into the center to dance along with the masked dancers.

The Dance of Banda
(BAHN-dah)

Banda is a large headdress that combines different animal and human forms. It has the jaws of a crocodile, the face of a human, a woman's elaborate hairstyle, the horns of an antelope, the body of a serpent, and the tail of a chameleon. Banda is danced at happy occasions for public entertainment.

The Dance of A-Tshol
(ah-CHOAL)

A-Tshol is a bird-like human head with a long beak and a long, thin neck. The Baga believe that a-Tshol is the supreme god. He is an air-born spirit who came with the Baga when they migrated from the mountains.