Ethnographic Film Series
Baye Falls is a documentary following Sufi spiritual teacher Ibrahima Fall, who played an important role during French colonial rule in strengthening the morale of oppressed Senegalese working and lower classes. A disciple of Sufi Saint Amadou Bamba, Ibrahima Fall stood out with a different approach to the Mouride brotherhood order. His teaching prioritised hard work, modesty and sharing over the usual pillars of Islam, like praying five times a day or fasting. This unorthodox and free spirited version of Islam has been looked down upon by the middle classes of Senegal, seeing Baye Falls just as scruffy street beggars. The majority of Senegal’s population is Muslim, however, the indigenous animist beliefs are intertwined within, resulting in a very expressive religious movement with ritual trance-like chanting and dancing playing a huge roll in their spiritual devotion, since it is believed to bring them closer to the divine. The tradition of gathering to perform a ritual has been a crucial part of African history, culture and community healing. In a way, Baye Fall ceremonies also hold space for indigenous traditions to crossover within Islam.
Lithuanian artist and film maker Adelina Sasnauskaite has been travelling with the Baye Falls to their devotional festivals all around the country, staying in Daaras, filming them and recording their spiritual chanting. It was visible that the movement and the human connection it provided to the followers, gave a sense of belonging, identity and pride to a lot of young men and women who struggled financially in a country that faces a huge lack of work and opportunity. Tens of thousands of Senegalese youths are risking their lives each year to migrate to Spain by boats, driven by financial desperation. Spending countless sleepless nights at the Baye Fall chants, she felt the enticing power of singing and dancing together, as a means of survival, spirituality guiding the positive path in an otherwise often hopeless situation.
- Hosted by
- Elphinstone Institute
- Venue
- MacRobert Building, MR051
- Contact
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Free event, no booking required.