Whether you are interested in the spiritual procedures, the audio and dance, the artwork, or simply the opportunity to encounter a singular and vivid cultural event, the Ouidah Voodoo Festival is not to be skipped.
readers ought to convey loads of h2o, sunscreen, and also a hat to protect on their own in the Sunshine. Additionally it is essential to dress in comfortable sneakers as the festival consists of loads of walking.
Experience the mysteries of Voodoo as being the followers of Kokou from various temples execute their own personal rites and rituals. At this ceremony, We'll witness the dancers go into deep trances though possessed by ancestral spirits. Overnight in Ouidah
All – spouse and children, food items materials and inventory – are stored In the fortified home, for safety factors in case of assault by enemies. For centuries these populations have been searching for refuge around the Atakora Mountains to flee Muslim slave traders coming with the north.
Voodoo “is extraordinary and we as Africans ought to do anything we can to market this culture,” he says.
They ended up "a way of attracting far more curiosity so that folks occur to find the essence of Vodoun", he mentioned. in addition to international travellers, The federal government would like to target domestic tourism to here boost the neighborhood overall economy and "reveal Benin to ourselves," as Talon set it.
Dassa will be the seat of an outdated kingdom founded by Olofin in 1385 As well as in city it remains probable to see sites witnessing the passage of this extensive-Long lasting dynasty. A walk from the hills will just take us to some sacred put where kings was once buried – it remains to be guarded today by numerous voodoos. later on this morning we travel even more North. We'll begin to see the Dankoli Fetish, a unique shrine for ancient animistic cults however practiced.
All of this without hurting themselves or displaying any signal of discomfort. It’s difficult to explain this type of general performance. can it be make any difference of bravery? Self-suggestion? Magic? perhaps it truly is the fetishes that safeguard them with the fire.
"Vodoun is of economic fascination to us, given that tourism is a vital sector," he additional. Ouidah was supplied a makeover for that event, with numerous of the town's points of interest refurbished.
in a single of those villages, we meet up with an extremely massive settlement of … witches, exiled from their villages. We are going to explore with them regarding their lifetime within the village And just how They may be protected by a Particular shrine, in command of “cleansing” their spirits from poor wills.
“Most Voodoo is white magic, to summon The great spirit from our ancestors,” the Voodoonou claimed. “excellent spirit is much better than bad.”
This night we lay in bed, under a mosquito Web, even though our picket loft creaks While using the wind. The occasional cry of the infant, some tribal language murmurs, and mellow drum beats in the space circulation Along with the amazing breeze from the open shutters, serenading us right into a seem slumber.
When you are intending to go to the Ouid ah Voodoo Festival, it's important being organized and respectful of nearby customs. On this section, we will offer some techniques for visitors to help you them make the most of their experience in the festival.
Repeated stops will likely be created to present us ample chance to stroll all over villages and markets to discover and practical experience the differences in architecture, gown, and lifestyle One of the several tribes in West Africa.