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Africa Writes

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Managing Editor of Africa Writes, Patrick (with camera), and Robert Millamono, AfricaWrites Field Coordinator and Assist. Editor – on a trip across the Makona river into Sierra Leone in October of 2005. Patrick describes their experiences:
“We were to meet with several community leaders and Chiefs. But unfortunately we were detained by the secret police and were delayed a bit. However, while in custody we made some great friends and the government agreed to offer their full assistance in working with us within the region. That particular crossing was the site where many rebels died a few years ago while attempting to flee back across the Guinean border. They perished in the cold and (very) rapid waters of the Makona. The primary means of crossing that river is by using the Kissi traditional canoes. While crossing, they constantly fill with water so children are always helping to empty the water with small tin cans.”

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Patrick writes about filming “Tchomano – Spirits of the Forest:” “In the darkness of night, we wait, seated among the elders of Yelendou Village. Before us in the dimly lit brown house behind the closed front door, drumming
begins. From behind the door singing can be heard. Louder and louder the singing grows until at last the door opens and two shadowy figures emerge into the soft light of our cameras. Wearing white ceremonial paint on their faces, protective spiritual charms, calf fitted bells, traditional shirts, scarves, head dresses and gleaming swords, these, mystical warriors of the night wage an ancient struggle against evils seen and unseen. They are the Tchomano, traditional healers and legendary protectors of the Kissi.

Patrick writes about filming, “Hiowolan – Dance of the Yokia,” near the border of Liberia in the deep forested mountains of Guinea. “The AfricaWrites staff and I were honored to witness the Kissi ritual known as the Hiowolan, the dance of the Yokia. Although performed by the young males of the community and not the of age and ordained Yokia, it was an impressive display of animal mimcry, acrobatics and defensive capability. Luckily, our low powered batteries and incredibly dusty held up during the shoot.”

Patrick writes about filming “Tchomano – Spirits of the Forest:” “In the darkness of night, we wait, seated among the elders of Yelendou Village. Before us in the dimly lit brown house behind the closed front door, drumming
begins. From behind the door singing can be heard. Louder and louder the singing grows until at last the door opens and two shadowy figures emerge into the soft light of our cameras. Wearing white ceremonial paint on their faces, protective spiritual charms, calf fitted bells, traditional shirts, scarves, head dresses and gleaming swords, these, mystical warriors of the night wage an ancient struggle against evils seen and unseen. They are the Tchomano, traditional healers and legendary protectors of the Kissi.

See clips from Africa Writes on Ugonet.

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