The ritual dance practice of Stambeli is a centuries old method to induce trance-like states through sound. In this short documentary, director Mohammed Ali Fakhfakh portrays Am Salah, one of the few remaining yenna ("Stambeli master"). Am Salah invites us into his world, on an intimate journey into the depth of spiritual liberation that lies at the core of this ancient part of Tunisia's cultural heritage.
Stambeli is a religious ritual mostly connected to Tunisia, but its roots go back to Mali and Niger, from where enslaved people were brought to Tunisia, and continued their forms of worship in different iterations.
The musical part of Stambeli is played with the "gumbri" – a traditional Tunisian string instrument – over the rhythm of the "chkackek". As a therapeutic exercise, the music and narrative singing gets paired with chants and communal dances to summon religious spirits.
Director: Mohammed Ali Fakhfakh
Camera Operator: Mohammed Mlaouah
Sound Mixing: Oussama Salah
Animation: Dan Tombs / 2MS
Theme music: Ben Shemie
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During the pandemic, Le Guess Who? and COSMOS launched ‘Reports from Other Continents’. It's a series in which people from all over the world share video reports on topics such as art, music, culture, and social life from within their local community. It’s a platform for people to tell their own story. All reports were commissioned by and specifically made for Le Guess Who? and COSMOS. Via leguesswho.com/cosmos you can find many more scene reports from all over the world pinned to the globe on top of the page.
