Drums from the Past(1971)

Drums from the Past Synopsis

Filmed in May 1971 in Niger, this short documentary records a possession ritual performed by the Simiri people in response to a locust invasion. The ceremony centers on the beating of the archaic drums Tourou and Bitti, used to invoke spirit forces through music, dance, and trance. Shot in a single continuous take, the film documents a concentrated moment of collective ritual practice, reflecting Jean Rouch’s first-person ethnographic approach and direct participation in the event.

Drums from the Past (1971) is a documentary film directed by Jean Rouch, released on January 1, 1971 with a runtime of 9m. Viewers rate it 6.3 out of 10 across 10 ratings.