10th January
Draped in animal skin with bones and fetish charms clattering, thousands of West Africans, Caribbean islanders and western tourists descend on Benin for the annual Voodoo festival in the southern town of Ouidah. Voodoo rituals have been practised by two-thirds of Benin's 6.7-million people since the end of the 16th century. Hundreds of spirit gods are honoured at clay shrines with festivities that begin with the clatter of tambourines. Frenzied dances, incantations and deep trances last for several hours as over 10,000 participants in flowing robes rub shoulders with curios bystanders in a celebration of prayers, sacrifices and free-flowing libations.
Draped in animal skin with bones and fetish charms clattering, thousands of West Africans, Caribbean islanders and western tourists descend on Benin for the annual Voodoo festival in the southern town of Ouidah. Voodoo rituals have been practised by two-thirds of Benin's 6.7-million people since the end of the 16th century. Hundreds of spirit gods are honoured at clay shrines with festivities that begin with the clatter of tambourines. Frenzied dances, incantations and deep trances last for several hours as over 10,000 participants in flowing robes rub shoulders with curios bystanders in a celebration of prayers, sacrifices and free-flowing libations.
0 comments
Post a Comment