poro
- proper noun
:
Poro
- The Poro society plays a crucial role in the initiation of young men in West African villages.
- Poro society
- Poro grove
- Poro mask
Examples
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A Poro official, using this mask, had long been a prominent judge over seven towns.
Academic text (2010) -
The institution of Poro holds authority over and unites the lineages, the segments of the village.
Academic text (1993) -
On the other hand, Poro is a human social institution.
Academic text (1993) -
In these ways, the Poro grove is also a part of the village and its society.
Academic text (1993) -
His essay on the Poro became a fixture of teaching African art history.
Academic text (2010) -
The reciprocal exchange across lineage boundaries by the Poro secret society also includes cultural knowledge.
Academic text (1993) -
The first French researchers to write about Senufo cosmology emphasized the importance of the Poro society and its attendant arts.
Academic text (2008) -
While men control Poro, a men's organization in charge of masquerades, women control Sandogo, a divination organization.
Academic text (2003) -
During the Poro rituals, community members gather to celebrate and honor traditions.
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Membership in the Poro involves participating in secret ceremonies that strengthen community bonds.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Poro is the name used in parts of West Africa for a traditional, often secret, men's society that holds ceremonies to mark the move from boy to man. You can think of it like a serious 'club' that helps keep community rules and customs, which is why the word refers to those rites and local leadership.
