Lamp's article presents a fascinating and incredibly detailed account of the Bondo initiation ceremony of the Temne people. He likens the elaborate ceremony to Western opera, but it is more meaningful because it is much more than art. The initiation is incredibly important; a non-participant is a nonperson in the Temne society. The ceremony itself is an amazingly complex blend of song, dance and acting occurring over a couple days. I thought it was interesting that all children are considered female until they are initiated.
Lamp describes much of the detailed symbolism that is incorporated in these ceremonies. Villages are constructed around a compass rose so that buildings are positioned in the East or West depending on their symbolism. I was struck by the place of snakes in the Temne culture; they represent fertility and birth. This contrasts strongly with a Western view of snakes as linked with Satan and evil. I was also interested by the strong maternal influence over society. From Lamp's description, it seems that women control the Temne society.
I am glad our class doesn't adopt the policy of ejecting dancers from ceremonies for making a single mistake- I would have been gone a long time ago!
Martin
Dance 163
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