Update from Africa Writes

Thanks Africa Writes for the new clips on Ugonet. Patrick writes about filming "Tchomano - Spirits of the Forest:" "In the darkness of night, we wait, seated among the elders of Yelendou Village. Before us in the dimly lit brown house behind the closed front door, drumming
begins. From behind the door singing can be heard. Louder and louder the singing grows until at last the door opens and two shadowy figures emerge into the soft light of our cameras. Wearing white ceremonial paint on their faces, protective spiritual charms, calf fitted bells, traditional shirts, scarves, head dresses and gleaming swords, these, mystical warriors of the night wage an ancient struggle against evils seen and unseen. They are the Tchomano, traditional healers and legendary protectors of the Kissi.

Patrick writes about, "Hiowolan - Dance of the Yokia:" "Nearly a year ago while filming near the border of Liberia in the deep forested mountains of Guinea, the AfricaWrites staff and I were honored to witness the Kissi ritual known as the Hiowolan, the dance of the
Yokia. Although performed by the young males of the community and not the of age and ordained Yokia, it was an impressive display of animal mimcry, acrobatics and defensive capability. Luckily, our low powered batteries and incredibly dusty held up during the shoot."