Stricken by grief at the loss of her late husband, Ndosi walks to the peak of Iboundji Mountain at dawn to perform a forbidden dance ritual in the hopes of seeing him again. She dances and dances under the light of the sunset until exhaustion. Fallen, desperate and thinking that she failed, she weeps until shadows start to move under the shade of the plants around her. As she looks up, she sees her husband and his hand held out towards her. They dance under the warm lights of the sun until another shadow forms and revealing another spirit, also attracted by the dance and beauty of Ndosi. The two spirits fight for her love and attention before she decides to leave with them both, leaving the mortal world behind for the spirits.
Inspired by the tale of Bandzioku and her husband from Gabonese Bwitist mythology, this series aims to be a visual exploration of the complexities of human desire, the allure of the unknown, and the power we hold to choose our own destinies even in the face of the extraordinary. Through this fantastical lens, questions of possession, free will, and the enduring power of love that transcends the boundaries of life and death are explored.
Photography & Story / Yannis Davy Guibinga
Featuring / Aichatou Dia, Moussa Ndiaye, Moustapha