Duminea: A Festival for the Water Spirits in the Niger Delta

Synopsis

The little village of Soku, hidden in the heart of the Eastern Niger Delta, has a group of heroes headed by Fenibaso, and its creeks and rivers are controlled by the water-spirit Duminea. The film shows some highlights of the annual ritual for Duminea. As in most Kalabari festivals, spirit possession features prominently in the proceedings. The possession behaviour is controlled by public expectations, which lay down the stage of the proceedings at which eash spirit will ‘climb on’ his priest, as well as the pattern of behaviour the latter will display once possessed.

Language

English

Country

Nigeria

Medium

Film; Film. 16mm. sd. col. 20 min.

Technical information

Black-and-white / Sound

Year of production

1969

Availability

Hire

Uses

Undergraduates. Postgraduates.

Keywords

ceremonies; Nigeria

Credits

Director

Francis Speed; Robin Horton

Distribution Formats

Type

Film

Format

16mm

Distributor

Name

Royal Anthropological Institute Film & Video Library, c/o Concord Media

Email

sales@concordvideo.co.uk

Web

http://www.concordmedia.org.uk/ External site opens in new window

Phone

01473 726012

Fax

01473 274531

Address

Rosehill Centre
22 Hines Road
Ipswich
IP3 9BG