# Niasse

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niasse
> Source revision: 1335552329
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{{Short description|Traditional masked figures in the Jola religion}}
{{for|the surname|Niasse (surname)}}
{{refimprove|date=June 2025}}
The '''Niasse''', along with the [Kumpo](/source/Kumpo) and the [Samay](/source/Samay_(mythology)), are three traditional masked figures in the religion of the [Jola people](/source/Jola_people), living in the [Casamance](/source/Casamance) ([Senegal](/source/Senegal)) and in [Gambia](/source/Gambia).

They play a central role in the social life of the traditional village. Multiple times in the course of the year, e.g. during the ''Journées culturelles'', a [folk festival](/source/folk_festival) in the village is organized.

All three figures are masked dancers. The niasse has two short sticks to mimic a gorilla's walk.<ref>{{cite web |title=Get to know the Jola lifestyle of the Casamance |url=https://www.my-gambia.com/mymagazine/get-to-know-the-jola-lifestyle-of-the-casamance/ |publisher=My Gambia |access-date=11 June 2025 |date=15 September 2022}}</ref> The kumpo is completely covered with palm leaves and is considered to be a [ghost](/source/ghost). Between the niasse and the samay, which are more people-like, there are fewer differences. The type of dance is a bit different; other differences are:

{|class=wikitable
!Attribute
!Samay
!Niasse
!Kumpo
|-
!Arm
|One single arm
|Two arms
|Completely covered with palm leaves
|-
!Horns
|Has two horns on the head
|Does not have horns
|No horn
|-
!Stick
|Has one long stick in his hand
|Equipped with two short sticks
|One long stick on the head
|}
{{portal|Traditional African religion|Gambia|Senegal}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

Category:Casamance
Category:Performing arts in the Gambia
Category:Jola religion
Category:Senegalese dancers

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Niasse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niasse) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niasse?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.