An Mbala warrior wears a headdress made of woven raffia and parrot feathers to display his status.A line of warriors emerges from the tall grass, carrying fighting knives traditionally used in battle.The warrior dance, called Munienga, is performed before a battle to excite and stimulate the warrior spirit and after a battle to cleanse the body after killing. The Salampasu believe that the spirit of the dead lives in the killer and so the Munienga is performed to exorcise this dangerous force.When a warrior displays his sword, he is announcing his intention to go into battle.As the warriors advance, each with his skin blackened by charcoal and oil, they chant in a haunting, menacing style to intimidate the enemy.When a warrior makes a gesture as if he is slitting a throat or clenches his knife between his teeth, it indicates that he is ready to kill.A warrior who has killed an enemy or proven himself to be brave wears an Nsala headdress.When warriors wear the Nsala headdress, made of parrot feathers, it indicates that an enemy has been killed or that a warrior has proven himself exceptionally brave.Indangani masks feature a headpiece of conical shapes with a crocheted raffia face and a palm-fringed beard. These masks denoting status are worn by warriors when they join the Indangani society. They are replaced with more elaborate masks as the warriors progress through its hierarchy.The ceremonial warrior display is always performed before an attack to excite and energize the warriors.The pounding rhythms of Ngoma drums and xylophones agitat the warriors into a frenzy and then, with stalking movements, they simulate hunting enemies. Chanting gutturally, they advance with widened eyes and pointed teeth exaggeratedly displayed.Details of a warrior’s attire: Left: a stitched reed quiver holding arrows. Right: an antelope horn containing a mixture of palm wine with an aphrodisiac made of plant extracts.A sword in a sheath decorated with cow tails is tucked into the back of a warrior’s waistband and used in combat. It cannot be returned to its sheath without drawing the blood of the enemy.Left: the Mukinka mask with its bulging forehead, sunken eyes, and intimidating filed teeth is carved in wood and covered in copper strips held in place by hundreds of tiny wooden pegs. On top of the mask are woven reed balls simulating hair and used to cushion the warrior against the blows of enemies. Right: a black raffia chainmail bodysuit is traditionally worn by Salampasu warriors as a part of their ceremonial attire.
