Journey to the Land of Souls

Editorial Pre-Textos, 1999

In southeastern Ivory Coast, some communities continue to maintain contact with spirits through the komián, or animist priests, who, in a trance state, are possessed by the spirits of the forest and water. Yéo Douley, a man from Abidjan, embarks on a journey that will lead him to the tomb of his animist mentor for a ritual liberation.

Along his long journey, he will witness the initiation rituals of three chosen by the spirits of the forest and the enthronement of one of them as the new high komián.

Based on the book Journey to the Land of Souls, filmed in Ivory Coast, The Return to the Land of Souls is an exploration of the world of African animism, documenting initiation rituals and phenomena of possession.