I am afraid of voodoo, as it is painted?
While many African traditions retreating under the pressure of modern life, one thrives. Voodoo.
The cult, known magical rituals and sacrifices, gained a dubious reputation in the West, however, in Benin, in West Africa, voodoo is one of the official religions.
The stronghold of the cult — the district of Ouidah. On the daily sacrifice to the Temple of pythons attracts dozens of people. Under the drums of well-dressed men and women dance around a bowl of millet, alcohol, and slaughtered chicken.
Inside the temple in a pit swarming fifty snakes, and atone for the sins of believers at the ceremony of purification.
Blood, snakes and strength
It’s the voodoo pythons — a symbol of strength. The faithful hope that the spirit of Dagbe worshipped in this temple will give them the strength to change your life.
But for this to spill blood.
The first victim was a chicken. Slightly sprysnuv the floor of the temple with the blood of the birds, the remains mixed with millet. The dish is passed around the circle.
At the core of voodoo worship of nature and ancestors. In their universe the living and the dead exist in a single space and time, and deity help them to communicate with each other.
Followers of voodoo believe that they will be rewarded for the desire to live in peace and do good, and maliciously waiting car. Similar concepts of righteousness and wickedness exist in Christianity.
According to most sociologists, about 40% of Benin’s population consider themselves followers of voodoo. Approximately 27% Christian and 22% Muslim.
But, says the expert on African religions and traditions, Professor of sociology and anthropology Doji of Amouzouvi, many believers in Benin adhere to the “dual religion.”
Here often say: “Day — Christians in the night — voodoo people”. It just means that even those who follow the canons of some religions, still maintain a spiritual connection with voodoo.Doji Autovitrina of sociology and anthropology
Demonstration of such a dualism is evident: on the other side of the square from the Temple of pythons is the Catholic Church.
“Many people in Benin are dissatisfied with the establishment, the country’s high unemployment, says the Doji Amouzouvi. — People come to the temples of voodoo and pray for better times”.