Monday 8 October 2012

Koré Dugaw


Koré represents the highest level of initiation society. Its members achieve a degree of spiritual knowledge that enables them to experience a mystic union with divine power and enter a perpetual cycle of reincarnation. In order to reach the highest plateau, these people have to submit themselves to painful initiation rites which include their symbolic death and resurrection. The antics of the wearers of these masks were scandalous and broke every taboo in performance - parodying sexual behaviour, smashing implements and devouring everything in sight, even excrement. This unrestrained behaviour not only proved the physical and mental prowess of the Koré Dugaw, it attested to a state of superhuman transport in which social conventions paled to insignificance. 

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