Young men undergo month-long initiation ritual in Senegal
It's an initiation ceremony unlike any other - testing the limits of man's endurance and strength.
Fascinating photos document a month-long ritual in a remote Senagalese village in which men risk their lives in the depths of a sacred forest.
Practiced in the Ziguinchor region of Senegal, the purpose of the ritual, known as 'Boukout', is to induct young men into society.
While the men are in the forest, women are prohibited from contacting them. However, young girls are allowed to bring them small gifts of food.
Organised by elders, the event and the ceremony draws families from all over the region to the host village - which changes location each time.
The ritual was documented by photographer Diana Bagnoli, who travelled to the small village of Mlomb in Casamance  in November 2016 after hearing about the ceremony.Â
Men in the village of Mlomb in Casamance, Senegal, dress in formal clothing for the leaving party before they enter the forest for an initiation ceremony testing the limits of their strength and endurance
Building up strength: Two men prepare for the great journey ahead at a leaving party before entering the forest. Practiced in the Ziguinchor region of Senegal, the purpose of the ritual, known as 'Boukout', is to induct young men into society.
Before entering the forest the men's heads are shaved. From this moment on they are not allowed to touch or see a woman until their return
Pictured: Rick Hunter, a respected Marabout in the community. He is the spiritual and physical healer in the village
Demba Mane pours holy water containing several types of herbs over himself as part of a good luck ritual proscribed by Marabout Rick Hunter. It is supposed to remove the evil eye and solve personal problems
A man tests his endurance by pushing a nail through his nose before entering the forest
A man demonstrates his physical and spiritual force by cutting himself with a sharp knife before entering the forest. A special root and amulets (Gris-gris) are used to provide protection to the wearer
A boy looks exhausted after dancing and cutting himself in the celebrations before entering the forest
A man demonstrates his physical and spiritual force by cutting himself with a sharp knife
A boy dances before entering the forest, supported by male relatives. Organised by elders, the event and the ceremony draws families from all over the region to the host village - which changes location each time
Two men brandish knives which they use to cut themselves to prove their strength before entering the forest
While the men are in the forest the women are prohiited from contacting them. However, little girls are allowed to bring them small gifts of food
While the men are gone their families live together as one community in the host village. The ceremony draws families from all over the region
In waiting: An intimate photo shows the kitchen of a family awaiting their son's return from the forest
Homecoming: The women wait impatiently in the rain to see if their sons, fiancés or brothers survived the ordeal
Coming home: Upon their return from the forest the men's heads are covered and they are taken to a village hut for refreshments where they are visited by the women. Sadly, four men died during the ceremony
Path to adulthood: Nine initiated boys gather for a group photo in Casamance after completing the rite of passage
Exhausted: Men who survive the forest are considered blessed and are initiated as real men. Women are pictured bringing them food and water
The father of a man who died after being struck by lightning in the forest mourns peacefully. Spiritual leaders will investigate what caused their deaths
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