Le kolonkalanin : Une démonstration du pilon magique au Bélédougou (Mali)

Abstract

This photo-essay documents the functioning of the kolonkalanin, or “pilon magique” (magical pestle), during a demonstration of its power. One of the most important and fearsome fetishes of the Bamana people of Mali, the kolonkalanin is also featured in the film Yeelen by Souleymane Cissé (1987). The analogic photographs of this reportage have been taken in a village of Bélédougu, where I came back in 1999 to meet once again the soma (great initiate), Keifa Diarra. Keifa Diarra himself wanted me to assist at the demonstration, to take pictures of it, and to record his words.