Tchiloli masked play

Stage a procession and courtroom drama by choosing characters, costumes, masks and cues, then conducting the verse rounds.

Heritage note

Part of the living heritage of Sao Tome and Principe. Some forms of this practice carry deep meaning for the communities who keep it; here we describe the play and the craft only, with respect for its roots.

Origins

A living tradition passed from person to person; it is not tied to a single dated origin. It belongs to the cultural world of Africa: Sahel, West and Central.