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Festima began in 1996, and the festival takes place in even years, usually in the last week of February or early March, in the city of Dedougou, Burkina Faso.
The main goal of Festima is to preserve, promote, and valorize the traditional cultural heritage of African masks, an essential aspect of many African societies. Masks in Africa are usually used in various traditional rituals and ceremonies, carrying religious and cultural significance.
Throughout the week, Festima gathers mask performers across West Africa, particularly Burkina Faso, Mali, Benin, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Togo. It's an incredible sight—an explosion of colors, sounds, and movement as hundreds of mask dancers come together.
Each mask is unique, representing different spirits, animals, or ancestors, and each dance tells a different story, some reflecting values of the community, historical events, or aspects of daily life. The masks are often part of the overall costume, and the craftsmanship is remarkable.
In addition to the mask performances, Festima features a variety of cultural events, including traditional music and dance performances, storytelling sessions, puppet shows, and craft markets. Workshops and symposia engage attendees, where each can learn more about the cultural significance of the masks.
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Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are only a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.
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