"Kparatao - home of the Fire Dance" a Paratao Travel Page by grets

The Fire Dance was held in a clearing in the small village of Tinadou, just outside Kparatoa, some miles from Sokode. There was a large sign at the roadside advertising the dance. Villagers from many nearby settlement came to witness the show, as well as us 15 tourists. The dance takes place round about a month after the festival of cutlasses. The dancers will attempt to prove their prowess by various daring stunts.

I really don’t know how I feel about the Fire Dance. It was spectacular of course, but what was it about it that made me feel uncomfortable? I have seen several fire dances in the past, but this one was nothing like any of them. It was more primitive, more primeval, more enigmatic and mysterious. It wasn’t just a show, it was so much more. It seemed to hold a deep-seated spiritual devotion despite its simple and unpretentious execution.