A Real Voodoo Experience (near Ouidah, Benin) - The truck driver said that it had been solely [*fr1] a kilometre down this rough dirt track. Distance was typically a imprecise concept during this a part of Africa and that i may solely hope that he was correct. it had been solely 9 within the morning and already a searing day. As we tend to walked, discussion was robust on whether or not this one in every of our a lot of stupid ideas or a visit highlight.
In the main town of Ouidah, this little village came strongly counseled as an honest place to check an authentic voodoo ceremony. the general public questioned thought it a wierd request and checked out us oddly, however the story perceived to explore fairly consistently.
After an hour of walking (well beyond the estimated [*fr1] kilometre), shirts drenched in sweat and legs caked in mud, we tend to ventured apprehensively into the village and asked for the village elder. we tend to gave him some eggs and vegetables as gifts bought at the native market in nearby Ouidah and were invited to remain and look at the ceremony. Disappointingly, there was to be fully no photography (something to try and do with the spirits) however the welcome was overwhelmingly friendly. Though being the sole westerners, it appeared the chief’s blessing created the whole village open and friendly.
The mere mention of voodoo back home conjured up pictures of the occult, black magic, juju men, pins being stuck into dolls and human and animal sacrifice. i suppose there have been little parts of a number of these aspects, however voodoo appeared so much deeper and a lot of non secular. The Ouidah markets were filled with fetishes for sale together with animal foetuses and skeletons of native wild animals. The sight of crocodile or monkey skulls obvious back was upsetting however remains a lively ingredient into the population’s life.
Locally, they known as it vodoun, being a political candidate faith of Benin and Togo. An estimated sixty to seventy % of the population follow some variant of vodoun. With the slave trade, this faith migrated to Haiti, Cuba, alternative Caribbean islands and elements of USA and Brazil. Somehow, it had been renamed to voodoo throughout the migration.
Directed to some elegantly woven straw mats, we tend to sat spellbound as offerings of food, chickens and blood to appease the spirits were created. These spirits ruled the villager’s life, providing sustenance, smart weather, protection and well-being. The vodoun ceremonies gave the impression to serve multiple functions from celebrating the birth of a baby, a wedding, important dates, successful crops and to beat back unhealthy omens.
After the offerings, the ladies began to dance to the rhythmic beating of drums. Slowly 1st, mud sprayed from the rapid-fire steps and swaying of the bodies, the dance growing ever a lot of energetic and vibrant. The dance culminated with the ladies shaking uncontrollably, consumed by the spirits. Arms flailing helplessly, they lost management of their bodies before being guided into a non secular hut.
Several women went through this same experience as the sun sank lower in the sky. Thanking the chief before returning to Ouidah, priests had prepared some potions for us (for a modest fee!), their benefits hidden by a deep-throated French explanation. We paid him and departed, somewhat alarmed at the thoughts of what could be inside these wrapped leaves.
We never rubbed the strange ashen offering into our skins nor kept the tiny objects, but left uplifted and bewildered by this complex spiritual experience.
There was almost no conversation on the road back to Ouidah, both lost in our own worlds having lived a day in a completely different world.
