#6 Fine Arts Center 1998 WaaSylla Drummers Drumming MENDIANI

Mendiani is from N.E. Guinea, Malinke people. Young girls between the ages of 6-13 are selected by the former Mendiani women of the village to be initiated into the association The girls are selected because they are brave and courageous. The girls must be extremely limber, agile and strong. When the young girls are dressed in the special robes they are referred to as Mendiani.
When they are brought to the festival location they are carried on the shoulders of men while the rhythm Denadon is played. Once they arrive at the festival location the girls are taken off the men's shoulders and as soon as their feet touch the ground the rhythm and songs change to Mendiani. They begin by dancing in unison in a choreographed sequence and will perform spectacular acrobatic stunts.