Dozo in the Sacred Forest, Odienné, Cote D'Ivoire

Filmed and edited by Tim Harrison, Cote D'Ivoire, January, 2024 (All rights reserved) Magic, music and dance in the sacred forest as a guest of the Dozo chief. Near Odienné, Northern Cote D'Ivoire. The Dozo are traditional hunters in northern Côte d'Ivoire, southeast Mali, and Burkina Faso, and members of a co-fraternity containing initiated hunters and sons of Dozo, called a Donzo Ton. Not an ethnic group, the Dozo are drawn mostly from Mandé-speaking groups, but are also found among Dyula-speaking communities, Dogon, and most other ethnic groups in Côte d'Ivoire. It is believed that the amulets (gris-gris) worn by Dozos possess magical properties protecting them from harm, and amplifying their vision and hearing. Part of the cultural and ritual tradition of the Dozo involves sacrifice and protection of the community. In traditional belief, wild animals killed by hunters release a 'nyama,' a destructive spirit that may afflict the community. Dozo perform rituals that cleanse / heal the 'nyama'. The Dozo act as spiritual guardians of settled communities from malevolent forces of the forest. In more recent times Dozo are often employed in security because of their strength, courage and magic. The instruments being played are N'goni (kamele n'goni / the 'harp of the hunter') with voice and 'karillan' / 'karignan' / metal scrapers.