Winter landscape

The Yasigine (awa vedyam - masked sisters) are women who can participate in the Sigi festival, which is celebrated every 60 years and in which men play the dominant role. They provide water and food for the Sigi participants, but their most important task is to supervise the production of konyo millet beer, ensure that it is made in sufficient quantity and distribute it. It is for this reason that the Yasigine's prop, the insignia of their function, is perye, a kind of large spoon. When during the Sigi Yasigine takes part in certain processions, she always holds perye in her hand like a sceptre.The first Yasigine was Yasigi, Yurugu's twin sister. During the first Sigi festival, she brought beer prepared by the women and served it to the men participating in the celebrations. She thus became the Sigi woman, that is, Yasigine. Like her brother, she was disobedient to Amma, for which she was punished by death. After her funeral, another Yasigine was chosen to represent her during the second Sigi, 60 years later. One can become Yasigine in different ways. The village elders can appoint any woman to hold this position. She can be inherited from her mother. The oldest daughter of a family with no males (widow and daughters) may also become Yasigine. The absence during the Sigi of a member of such a family would have unpleasant consequences for the family, so the assignment of the role of Yasigine to a daughter is a salvation for the family. Sometimes the Yasigine becomes a woman who, having broken the prohibition relating to masks, comes under the dominion of their nyama, or life force. The Yasigine’s role can also be performed by a woman who was born during the Sigi. Yasigine is an important function, which is why women holding it are entitled to their own Dama festival, during which masks from all areas reached by the news of her death gather. Everyone wants to say goodbye to their sister.

Ewa Prądzyńska