Photos: Gamou-Ndande ceremony in Senegal – Park Record Media Center

People watch a man descend into a large former well during a traditional ceremony in the village of Ndande, May 19, 2013. Every year, inhabitants of the village take part in a Sufi Muslim ceremony called Gamou-Ndande. The ceremony combines nights of praying and chanting as well as traditionally animist ceremonies. The well, called Kalom, was the site of historic battles in Senegalese history. According to local historian Baye Niass, the well dates back to the 16th century. Today there is no water in the former well and it is used for ceremonial purposes. Niass says the well measure 36 meters in depth an 11m in diameter. Picture taken May 19, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Penney ( SENEGAL/ )

A man ascends by bungee cords from a large former well during a traditional ceremony in the village of Ndande, May 19, 2013. Every year, inhabitants of the village take part in a Sufi Muslim ceremony called Gamou-Ndande. The ceremony combines nights of praying and chanting as well as traditionally animist ceremonies. The well, called Kalom, was the site of historic battles in Senegalese history. According to local historian Baye Niass, the well dates back to the 16th century. Today there is no water in the former well and it is used for ceremonial purposes. Niass says the well measure 36 meters in depth an 11m in diameter. Picture taken May 19, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Penney ( SENEGAL/ )

People watch a traditional ceremony taking place in a large former well in the village of Ndande, Senegal, May 19, 2013. Every year, inhabitants of the village take part in a Sufi Muslim ceremony called Gamou-Ndande. The ceremony combines nights of praying and chanting as well as traditionally animist ceremonies. The well, called Kalom, was the site of historic battles in Senegalese history. According to local historian Baye Niass, the well dates back to the 16th century. Today there is no water in the former well and it is used for ceremonial purposes. Niass says the well measure 36 meters in depth an 11m in diameter. Picture taken May 19, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Penney ( SENEGAL/ )

Coumba Faye, 19, fixes her headscarf in her house in the village of Ndande, May 19, 2013. Every year, inhabitants of the village take part in a Sufi Muslim ceremony called Gamou-Ndande. The ceremony combines nights of praying and chanting as well as traditionally animist ceremonies. Picture taken May 19, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Penney ( SENEGAL/ )

Bineta Ndiaye, 22, looks at herself in the mirror as her friend Coumba Faye, 19, fixes her hair in Faye's house in the village of Ndande, May 19, 2013. Every year, inhabitants of the village take part in a Sufi Muslim ceremony called Gamou-Ndande. The ceremony combines nights of praying and chanting as well as traditionally animist ceremonies. Picture taken May 19, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Penney ( SENEGAL/ )

A child walks on a path in the village of Ndande, May 18, 2013. Every year, inhabitants of the village take part in a Sufi Muslim ceremony called Gamou-Ndande. The ceremony combines nights of praying and chanting as well as traditionally animist ceremonies. Picture taken May 18, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Penney ( SENEGAL/ )

A man ascends by bungee cords from a large former well during a traditional ceremony in the village of Ndande, May 19, 2013. Every year, inhabitants of the village take part in a Sufi Muslim ceremony called Gamou-Ndande. The ceremony combines nights of praying and chanting as well as traditionally animist ceremonies. The well, called Kalom, was the site of historic battles in Senegalese history. According to local historian Baye Niass, the well dates back to the 16th century. Today there is no water in the former well and it is used for ceremonial purposes. Niass says the well measure 36 meters in depth an 11m in diameter. Picture taken May 19, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Penney ( SENEGAL/ )

Aminata Diop poses for a picture in her house in the village of Ndande, May 19, 2013. Every year, inhabitants of the village take part in a Sufi Muslim ceremony called Gamou-Ndande. The ceremony combines nights of praying and chanting as well as traditionally animist ceremonies. Picture taken May 19, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Penney ( SENEGAL/ )

A boy rides a horse in front of a colonial-era train station in disuse in the village of Ndande, May 18, 2013. Every year, inhabitants of the village take part in a Sufi Muslim ceremony called Gamou-Ndande. The ceremony combines nights of praying and chanting as well as traditionally animist ceremonies. Picture taken May 18, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Penney ( SENEGAL/ )

A colonial-era train station in disuse is seen in the village of Ndande, May 18 2013. Every year, inhabitants of the village take part in a Sufi Muslim ceremony called Gamou-Ndande. The ceremony combines nights of praying and chanting as well as traditionally animist ceremonies. Picture taken May 18, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Penney ( SENEGAL/ )

People from the Mouride sect of Sufi Islam attend a prayer session in the village of Ndande, May 18, 2013. Every year, inhabitants of the village take part in a Sufi Muslim ceremony called Gamou-Ndande. The ceremony combines nights of praying and chanting as well as traditionally animist ceremonies. Picture taken May 18, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Penney ( SENEGAL/ )

A convenience store housed in a colonial-era building is seen in the village of Ndande May 18, 2013. Every year, inhabitants of the village take part in a Sufi Muslim ceremony called Gamou-Ndande. The ceremony combines nights of praying and chanting as well as traditionally animist ceremonies. Picture taken May 18, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Penney ( SENEGAL/ )

People from the Mouride sect of Sufi Islam chant prayers in the village of Ndande, May 18, 2013. Every year, inhabitants of the village take part in a Sufi Muslim ceremony called Gamou-Ndande. The ceremony combines nights of praying and chanting as well as traditionally animist ceremonies. Picture taken May 18, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Penney ( SENEGAL/ )