Baining collection with field notes and photographs from East New Britain, continued from last issue.
By Harold Gallasch
Years of witnessing the Engini fire dance ceremonies of the Central Baining have made me appreciate the wonderful theatricality that is brought to bear to produce performances, using the tension of anticipation, dramatic juxtaposition of dark and light, the wild movement to the accompanying drumming, etc. In this context the term ‘Grand Opera’ springs to mind.
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