Taafé Fanga (Skirt Power) (Mali: 1997)

Director

Adama Drabo

Cast list

Fanta Berete... Yayeme
Ramata Drago... Kuni
Ibrahima S. Koita... Ambara
Helene Diarra... Timbe
Teneman Sanogo... Agro
Michel Sangare... Nomoku
Nana Diabate... Yandjou, the "Andumbulu"
Oumou Berthe... Naton
Sidiki Diabate... The Griot

Credits

Writing Credits: Adama Drabo

Synopsis

This film, with supernatural elements, challenges patriarchal order through role reversals. Yayeme, who is continuously abused by her husband, steals the mask and skirt of a mythical creature. These items provide Yayeme with great power, and, in the hopes of seeking revenge against her husband, she chooses to use her powers to change gender roles. The women explore what life is like for the men, and the men explore what life is like for the women. The women choose to exert dominance over the men, and the men have no choice but to be submissive. Both literally and figuratively, the women now wear the pants in the relationship.

Reviews

Michael Dembrow, TAAFE FANGA/SKIRT POWER, NINTH ANNUAL CASCADE FESTIVAL OF AFRICAN FILMS (African film blog)

Dmeltz,  Taafe Fanga,  IMDb (internet movie database)

Cosmicyoruba, TAAFÉ FANGA (SKIRT POWER),The Adventures of Cosmic Yoruba and Her Flying Machines (blog)

Academic Articles:

Aziza Braithwaite Bey – The Role of Women in Kemet, Dogon, Mayan and Tsalagi Societies by Aziza Braithwaite Bey. The Journal of Pedagogy, Pluralism and Practice, Vol. 3, No. 3 ( SUMMER 2006)

Teaching Aberrance: Cinema as a Site for African Feminism by Corinna McLeod.  Journal of International Women’s Studies, Vol. 12, No. 4 (2011), pp. 79-96

Africa Shoots Back: Alternative Perspectives in Sub-Saharan Francophone African Film by Melissa Thackway. Google Books (2003)

Other movies from Mali made in

Title Country Year Director More infos
Sabriya Mali, Tunisia 1997 Abderrahmane Sissako
In Search of Africa Guinea, Mali 1997 Manthia Diawara
Taafé Fanga (Skirt Power) Mali 1997 Adama Drabo
Faraw: Une mère des sables Mali 1997 Abdoulaye Ascofaré
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