The Niasse, along with the
Kumpo
The Kumpo, the ''Samay'', and the ''Niasse'' are three traditional figures in the mythology of the Diola people in the Casamance (Senegal) and in Gambia.
Multiple times in the course of the year, i.e. during the ''Journées culturelles'', a fol ...
and the
Samay, are three traditional masked figures in the religion of the
Jola people
The Jola or Diola ( endonym: Ajamat) are an ethnic group found in Senegal, the Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau. Most Jola live in small villages scattered throughout Senegal, especially in the Lower Casamance region. The main dialect of the Jola lan ...
, living in the
Casamance
, settlement_type = Geographical region
, image_skyline = Senegal Casamance.png
, image_caption = Casamance in Senegal
, image_flag = Flag of Casamance.svg
, image_shield =
, motto ...
(
Senegal
Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤠(Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤠ðž ...
) and in
Gambia
The Gambia,, ff, Gammbi, ar, غامبيا officially the Republic of The Gambia, is a country in West Africa. It is the smallest country within mainland AfricaHoare, Ben. (2002) ''The Kingfisher A-Z Encyclopedia'', Kingfisher Publicatio ...
.
They play a central role in the social life of the traditional village. Multiple times in the course of the year, e.g. during the ''Journées culturelles'', a
folk festival
A folk festival celebrates traditional folk crafts and folk music. This list includes folk festivals worldwide, except those with only a partial focus on folk music or arts. Folk festivals may also feature folk dance or ethnic foods.
Handicra ...
in the village is organized.
All three figures are masked dancers. The kumpo is completely covered with palm leaves and is considered to be a
ghost
A ghost is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that is believed to be able to appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to rea ...
. Between the niasse and the samay, which are more people-like, there are fewer differences. The type of dance is a bit different; other differences are:
{{portal, Traditional African religion, Gambia, Senegal
Casamance
Gambian dancers
Jola religion
Senegalese dancers