Films

Hitima

June 11, 2006, at Kallisté

The hitima is a festival (it follows in this case the tradition of the Comoros) which closes the religious learning. This ceremony celebrates the child, adolescent or young adult who finished reading the Koran. The recipient receives donations, including money, the ritual is closed by drinking milk sweetened with honey: this is the ritual of fahamwe.

Lyrics: "Ya Allah, Ya Allah
 / Even in the dark
 / You give us hope Ya Allah, Ya Allah / 
Even in the dark / 
You give us hope / Ya Allah, Ya Allah
 / Even in the dark, you give us hope / Ya Muhammad rassoullallah / 
Only patience leads to victory / Ya Allah, Ya Allah, Ya Allah, Ya Allah, Ya Allah / 
Even in the dark, you give us hope / Ya Muhammad rassoullallah / 
Only patience leads to victory"

This small film has no artistic or ethnographic ambition. It was made from visual materials taken on the fieldwork and additional music. I made the editing on the same day, while trying to capture a moment, an emotion, an atmosphere... It coincides with my return at the field (I must thank Amelie, who invited me there).