Niasse
Encyclopedia
The Niasse, the Kumpo, and the Samay are three traditional masked figures in the mythology
of the Diola
, living in the Casamance
(Senegal
) and also in Gambia.
The are playing a central role in the social life of the traditional village community.
Multiple times in the course of the year, e.g. during the Journées culturelles, a folk festival
in the village gets organized.
All three are masked dansers.
The Kompu is completely covered with palm leaves, and is considered to be a ghost
.
Between the Niasse and the Samay, which are more person-style, there are the least differences.
The type of dance is a bit different; other differences amongst them are:
Mythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
of the Diola
Jola people
The Jola are an ethnic group found in Senegal , The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau. There are great numbers on the Atlantic coast between the southern banks of the Gambia River, the Casamance region of Senegal and the northern part of Guinea-Bissau...
, living in the Casamance
Casamance
Casamance is the area of Senegal south of The Gambia including the Casamance River. It consists of Basse Casamance and Haute Casamance...
(Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
) and also in Gambia.
The are playing a central role in the social life of the traditional village community.
Multiple times in the course of the year, e.g. during the Journées culturelles, a folk festival
Folk festival
A Folk festival celebrates traditional folk crafts and folk music.-Canada:Alberta*Calgary Folk Music Festival*Canmore Folk Music Festival*Edmonton Folk Music Festival*Jasper Folk Festival*Wild Mountain Music FestOntario*Barriefolk...
in the village gets organized.
All three are masked dansers.
The Kompu is completely covered with palm leaves, and is considered to be a ghost
Ghost
In traditional belief and fiction, a ghost is the soul or spirit of a deceased person or animal that can appear, in visible form or other manifestation, to the living. Descriptions of the apparition of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to...
.
Between the Niasse and the Samay, which are more person-style, there are the least differences.
The type of dance is a bit different; other differences amongst them are:
| Attribute | Samay | Niasse | Kumpo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arm | One single arm | Two arms | Completely covered with palm leaves |
| Horns | Has two horns on the head | Does not have horns | No horn |
| Stick | Has one long stick in his hand | Equiped with two short sticks | One long stick on the head |