Drums from the Past (1971)
Filmed in May 1971 in Niger, this short documentary records a possession ritual performed by the Simiri people in response to a locust invasion. The ceremony centers on the beating of the archaic drums Tourou and Bitti, used to invoke spirit forces through music, dance, and trance. Shot in a single continuous take, the film documents a concentrated moment of collective ritual practice, reflecting Jean Rouch’s first-person ethnographic approach and direct participation in the event.
Director: Jean Rouch
| Crew | Jean Rouch | Cinematography |
| Sound | Philippe Luzuy | Sound Editor |
| Directing | Lam Dia-Hama | Assistant Director |
| Writing | Jean Rouch | Writer |
| Crew | Moussa' Hamidou | Sound Recordist |
| Directing | Jean Rouch | Director |
