Chasing Shadows

The film 'Chasing Shadows' portrays the Kyangyang prophetic movement in Guinea-Bissau, whose Balanta members communicate with ancestors through writing, glossolalia, divination, and spirit possession to heal and give advice. It explores the movement's cosmology and its interactions with Islam and Christianity.

Study at a glance

Abstract

“Chasing Shadows” offers an intimate portrait of the current practice of the prophetic movement called Kyangyang in Guinea-Bissau. Kyangyang means “the shadows”, but its followers also call themselves “Children of God”. The members of the movement, belonging to the Balanta ethnic group, communicate with their ancestors, who transmit messages from the high God through prophetic writing, glossolalia, divination rituals, and spirit possession. Guided by the ancestors, they heal and give advice in collective ceremonies. This film delves into the creative and poetic world of Kyangyang by giving voice to its members, young and adults, men and women. It also explores the relations between Kyangyang and Balanta cosmology and between the prophetic movement and the two main "world religions" in the country: Islam and Christianity, in its Catholic and Evangelical modes. Original idea and Research: Ramon Sarró and Marina Temudo Direction, camera and sound: Roger Canals Editing: Jordi Orobitg Production: University of Oxford and Jordi Orobitg Produccions