The Fire Dance
The Fire Dance was held in a clearing in the small village of Tinadou, just outside Kparatoa, some miles from Sokode in Togo. There was a large sign at the roadside advertising the dance. Villagers from many nearby settlement came to witness the show, as well as us. The dance takes place round about a month after the festival of cutlasses. The dancers will attempt to prove their prowess by various daring stunts.
Noah explained the story behind the origin of the Fire Dance: The Kotokoli were often fighting with the neighbouring Taberma tribe and often the they were caught unawares whilst tending to their everyday activists. The women and children were in the huts, by the fire, and weren’t always able to escape in time, so it often happened that they got burnt. The Kotokoli therefore made a pact with the God of Fire. The dance is to recognise this alliance and celebrate it.
I really don’t know how I feel about the Fire Dance. It was spectacular of course, but what was it about it that made me feel uncomfortable? I have seen several fire dances in the past, but this one was nothing like any of them. It was more primitive, more primeval, more enigmatic and mysterious. It wasn’t just a show, it was so much more. It seemed to hold a deep-seated spiritual devotion despite its simple and unpretentious execution. Only a few people in the village have the gift to be able to carry out the dances, not everyone can do it.
There were many aspects to the dance, and this was just one ‘act’. A bowl with broken glass immersed in water was passed round for the audience to check out. The glass had very sharp edges indeed. Kneading the glass with his hands, the dancer would pick a handful up and thrush it into his face. He also picked up individual shards and would rub them hard against his exposed skin. You could see he was putting pressure on the glass, as his skin would give a little under the force. Or he’d try and cut his eyes or his tongue. It was grotesque and disturbing, while at the same time mesmerising!
The Fire Dance
The Fire Dance was held in a clearing in the small village of Tinadou, just outside Kparatoa, some miles from Sokode in Togo. There was a large sign at the roadside advertising the dance. Villagers from many nearby settlement came to witness the show, as well as us. The dance takes place round about a month after the festival of cutlasses. The dancers will attempt to prove their prowess by various daring stunts.
Noah explained the story behind the origin of the Fire Dance: The Kotokoli were often fighting with the neighbouring Taberma tribe and often the they were caught unawares whilst tending to their everyday activists. The women and children were in the huts, by the fire, and weren’t always able to escape in time, so it often happened that they got burnt. The Kotokoli therefore made a pact with the God of Fire. The dance is to recognise this alliance and celebrate it.
I really don’t know how I feel about the Fire Dance. It was spectacular of course, but what was it about it that made me feel uncomfortable? I have seen several fire dances in the past, but this one was nothing like any of them. It was more primitive, more primeval, more enigmatic and mysterious. It wasn’t just a show, it was so much more. It seemed to hold a deep-seated spiritual devotion despite its simple and unpretentious execution. Only a few people in the village have the gift to be able to carry out the dances, not everyone can do it.
There were many aspects to the dance, and this was just one ‘act’. A bowl with broken glass immersed in water was passed round for the audience to check out. The glass had very sharp edges indeed. Kneading the glass with his hands, the dancer would pick a handful up and thrush it into his face. He also picked up individual shards and would rub them hard against his exposed skin. You could see he was putting pressure on the glass, as his skin would give a little under the force. Or he’d try and cut his eyes or his tongue. It was grotesque and disturbing, while at the same time mesmerising!