Bariba people

More than 150,000 persons converge to Nikki from all over to participate in the spectacular ceremony where the vitality of the Baatonu culture is celebrated and parental and fraternal links between dynasties are nurtured.The horsemen, astride richly harnessed mounts and carrying rifles loaded with black powder, simulate a cavalry charge, the culminating point of which is the simultaneous shooting of their firearms.The Baatonu have been featuring the fantasia for the Gaani since the days of Sime Dobidia, as well as on the occasion of important events such as wed-dings, births and religious festivals.The horsemen, mainly from the class of the dignitaries, compete in dexterity and audacity in powerful demonstrations of strength and mastery with their audacious stunts and dazzling processions.The equestrian tradition began when Sunon Sero, a resident of Nikki-Wenu, rode to Nikki on horseback to visit his son Sime Dobidia during the Gaani.The dense, nonchalant sound of the drums and the suave timbre of the trumpets, as well as the myths the instruments perpetuate, accompany the Gaani festivities and resound in the hearts of the faithful throughout the year.The trumpets are played to the glory of the Emperor or to accompany his travels, but also to announce the holy day Friday and during grand ceremonies (Gaani or the Shaving of princes).Generally speaking, the Baatonu favour dyed loincloths as opposed to the Fulbe who are happier wearing white loin-cloths, sometimes with brightly-coloured stripes.Furobakuro hats are worn by ordinary citizens, whereas village chiefs and horsemen have the privilege of wear-ing brimmed bowl-shaped or cone-shaped Keseru.Their relatively simple outfits are enhanced by the numerous items of jewellery acquired since the development of the caravan trade: earrings, silver bracelets, necklaces with carved porcelain or glass pendants and mirrors contribute to the women’s style and seductiveness.Teke songs celebrate the typical values of Baatonu humanism and often use opposites to illustrate their messages – generosity and rapacity, bravery and cowardice, fidelity and infidelity, etc.The dancers’ costumes, made from animal skins and native fabrics covered with several rows of cowrie shells and amulets, make quite an impression on the assembly, sometimes to the point of fright-ening them.Its name refers to the chains of balls made from the leaves of Palmyra palm shoots decorated with small stones that the dancers wrap round their calves, making a sound similar to that of castanets.Their traditional dish is Sokuru, prepared from yams and served with different types of sauce: aubergine, bissap, Guinea sorrel, climbing leaves, beef, mutton or chicken.Although the Baatonu regularly consume corn and bean-based dishes in their daily life, they generally only sell Waakye (mixture of rice and beans).