Sorsornet or Sornet
Traditional Ethnic Group: Baga
Location: West Guinea, Boke Region
Category: Mask Rhythm/Dance
Historical Significance
- Ritual: Initiation and youth protection (through teachings of life/reality)
- Song: Performed in the moonlight and following a harvest the words are sung from daughter to mother in order to thank and honor her.
- Spirit: The spirit may visit a village several times throughout the year to provide love and protection for the children. He may perform a chant that speaks “of honoring the mother and the releasing of the female child from the domain of her parents” (http://www.kawambe-omowaleafricandrumanddance.com/danceof.htm).
- Mask: Guards the village against evil (including sickness). he is considered to be almost a deity of luck and good fortune.
The Masked Dancer
- Receives offerings such as bread, palm wine, and money.
- Summoned by the priest (or guardian of the mask) when a member of the village comes forth with an illness or a sever issue (such as infertility).
- The mask, embodied by a member of the village, will emerge from the brush and must return once the dance has been completed.
- Gender: both men and women can dance Sorsornet
Here is an example of the notated rhythm by Mamady Keita:
Here is an example of the dance being performed:
Mande Drum and Dance 