O ego da Simone

National Geographic, July 1977

Boastings of male superiority, agile dancers in a prenuptial rite portray the sun and moon. Just as the celestial bodies loom above all, so do men see themselves as dominating Gimi life. Light radiated symbolically by gestures and body decorations represent mens’ knowledge of the world, for they often travel beyond the village while woman remain at home. A bark mask worn by the sun highlights the eyes, centre of awareness; a castoff rubber glove draws attention to a moonbeam hand.