As Benin is the birthplace of Voodooism, our training today included an introduction to Voodoo led by a Voodoo priestess. 65% of Beninese practice Voodoo, including many people who consider themselves Christian or Muslim.
While all Voodoo worldwide is derived from Beninese Voodoo, the priestess explained that the Voodoo of Haiti or New Orleans is a distorted form. In Benin, the primary purpose of Voodoo is to cure people. There are Voodoo temples throughout Benin, including Dangbo, and you can buy Voodoo items in the marketplace. The Voodoo doll does not exist here as we know it in the US, but you can buy a doll, take it to a temple, surround it by evil ingredients, and try to use it to do harm to someone. You can also use Voodoo to try to kill someone, but the priestess cautioned against it as it can easily backfire.
Several people in our group had seen strangely dressed people walking the streets asking for money. The priestess explained that these are spirits and that it is a good idea to give them money. She told the story of a European in the 19th century who encountered such a spirit and did not believe he was such. He made the spirit take off layer upon layer upon layer of clothing until there was nothing to show but bones.
For those of you who are inclined to dismiss Voodoo, let me share with you the closing words of the Peace Corps language coordinator. Even if you do not believe in Voodoo, do not say that it is not true. If you do, some misfortune will come upon you. Even the priestess was raised Catholic. She ignored the call to become a Voodoo priestess until she had so many bad events in her life that she realized she needed to follow her calling.
While all Voodoo worldwide is derived from Beninese Voodoo, the priestess explained that the Voodoo of Haiti or New Orleans is a distorted form. In Benin, the primary purpose of Voodoo is to cure people. There are Voodoo temples throughout Benin, including Dangbo, and you can buy Voodoo items in the marketplace. The Voodoo doll does not exist here as we know it in the US, but you can buy a doll, take it to a temple, surround it by evil ingredients, and try to use it to do harm to someone. You can also use Voodoo to try to kill someone, but the priestess cautioned against it as it can easily backfire.
Several people in our group had seen strangely dressed people walking the streets asking for money. The priestess explained that these are spirits and that it is a good idea to give them money. She told the story of a European in the 19th century who encountered such a spirit and did not believe he was such. He made the spirit take off layer upon layer upon layer of clothing until there was nothing to show but bones.
For those of you who are inclined to dismiss Voodoo, let me share with you the closing words of the Peace Corps language coordinator. Even if you do not believe in Voodoo, do not say that it is not true. If you do, some misfortune will come upon you. Even the priestess was raised Catholic. She ignored the call to become a Voodoo priestess until she had so many bad events in her life that she realized she needed to follow her calling.
I had no idea! Fascinating. -Karen
ReplyDeleteIndeed! There's a little bit of Voodoo everywhere here. A week ago, I came home and was told that a Voodoo group had been by the house a few hours earlier. They had stolen a pineapple and other fruit from my sister's room, and they stole of pot of peanuts right off the fire.
ReplyDeleteOn Sunday, all of the Peace Corps Trainees will be leaving for a two week visit to their future villages. Those in central Benin have been warned about the Oro Voodoo Fetish, which happens around this time. Only men are allowed to see it, so female trainees in that region may be forced to stay in their homes with the windows covered.