Zaouli Mask / Dance, Bouaflé, Ivory Coast

Filmed and edited by Tim Harrison, Bouaflé, Ivory Coast, January 2024. (All Rights Reserved) Zaouli is a traditional dance of the Guro people of central Ivory Coast. The Zaouli mask, used in the dance, was thought to have been created in the 1950s, in Bouaflé, where this video was shot, although the origins of the various masks are probably much older.
The Zaouili mask is supposedly inspired by a girl named "Djela Lou Zaouli" (meaning "Zaouli, daughter of Djela").and celebrates feminine beauty and strength (though the dancer is always male) At the start of the dance the mask is normally hidden, before her beauty is revealed to the onlookers.There are many different versions of the Zaouili mask / masquersde, the sculpting and symbolism of each wooden mask being highly skilled and creative.
In 2017 the mask was designated as an 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO', it is perhaps now the best known mask / dance of West Africa outside the continent.
The mask / dance is charecterised by skillfull synchronicity between the dancer and musicians - to a great extent the musicians are playing to the movements of the dancer, rather than the dancer dancing to the music. The originality and skill of individual dancers / masks is highly valued and admired.
Zaouli Mask / Dance, Bouaflé, Ivory Coast - Part Two:
• Zaouli Mask / Dance, (...

[@robertwood4681]

Thanks for bringing a memory alive

[@lesliesince2018]

I think skin that dark should be decorated in the cool toned colors. Green, blue, purple. Like a peacock. The darkness is so much more intriguing that the bright.

[@maricarmenmalcolm]

FREAKIN AWESOME GORGEOUS DARLING THAT MY KING PRECIOUS GEM OUTSTANDING COSMIC DANCER LOOK AT ALL THAT ENERGY POWERFUL MOVES YESS ZAOULI BIRD LOVELY COSTUME COLORS MAGICAL MOMENTS JAJA THANKYOU SPECTACULAR UNITY ONENESS NAMASTE FROM ENGLAND BRAVOOO XD MUAH MUAH XXXXXXXX

[@maricarmenmalcolm]

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS AMAZING MY KING ZAOULI BIRD GREAT DUET MAJESTIC SUPER POWERUL DANCE MOVES ENERGY ENERGY RHYTHM HOT FIRE THANKYOU MY DEAR BEAUTIUL FRIEND MrTharrison RESPECT MAMA AFRICA UNITY ONENESS SPLENDID OUTSTANDING JAJA BRAVOOO XD MUAH WOAH XXXXXXXX🥳🤠

[@MrTharrison]

Thanks, You're welcome !

[@maricarmenmalcolm]

OHH LOVING THIS ❤️❤️ GORGEOUS MY KING 👑 ZAOULI BIRD 🕊️🧲 MAGNIFICENT 💖 MAGICAL WONDERFUL COSTUME COLORS ✨⭐🪄 RHYTHM 🪘💯🪘 POWERFUL LEGS & FOOTWORK WOOHOO 🥳🎉🥳 😄❤️💖✴️💖 FIRE 🔥🥵🔥 GREAT DUET 😀😀😀🎉🎉❤❤