Why The Ultimate Spiritual Protection Is Community Care

Adorned with leaves and painted red, wearing a mask of bark and red fibers, at night the Kankurang walks around town carrying two machetes and shrieking. 

The Kankurang is no ordinary spirit. The Kankurang isn’t a spirit at all. 

The Kankurang is a spiritual leader in Mandinka culture. Usually one man, the Kankurang maintains order, resolves conflicts, and restores justice to his community. He also wards off evil spirits. 

The Kankurang dwells in the forest but appears in full regalia to walk among his community, as a visual reminder for Mandinka people to respect one another. 

While the Kankurang might look intimidating, his role is not to frighten or to cause harm. 

Besides maintaining order, the Kankurang guides young boys through their rites of passage. He instills in them the sense of right and wrong, lessons on respect, elder and ancestor appreciation, and Mandinka cultural history. 

These teachings give the boys the strong sense of identity they will need as future community leaders. 

Protection doesn’t have to be violent or about fighting an enemy. The Kankurang reminds us that protection is also about practicing community care and safeguarding cultural knowledge. This helps future generations understand their history, their role in the community, and their place in the world. 

Knowledge of self is the strongest spiritual protection.