It's January 10th, Voodoo Day in 🇧🇯 Benin. This event is celebrated across the whole country, but most notably in the city of Ouidah, the former transatlantic slave trade port and the birthplace of Voodoo.
The celebration begins with the sacrifice of a 🐐 goat. It's believed that the blood of the goat will help protect all of Benin's people from disease. This ceremony is followed by 🥁 traditional music performances accompanied by much 🎤 singing, 💃🏿 dancing, 🍽️ feasting, and 🍷 drinking. The festivities conclude at the Voodoo Chief's residence, where he offers the crowd more food and drink.
Voodoo plays a prominent role in Benin culture. The pantheon of gods includes more than 300 deities, including 🧲 Gou, God of Iron, 🏹 Elegbara the Messenger, ⚔️ Kokou the Warrior, 🌜 Zangbeto, Guardian of the Night, and 🌊 Mami Wata, Goddess of Water. A central tenet of Voodoo philosophy is that all living things are spiritual and must exist in harmony with the elements – the sources of life – 🌊 water, 🌍 earth, 🌬️ air, and 🔥 fire. Human beings must live in harmony with their ancestors, as well. During Voodoo ceremonies such as the goat sacrifice, chiefs, shamans, and followers may commune with the gods, spirits, and ancestors and ask them for help or advice.
Former Benin Prime Minister Nicéphore Dieudonné Soglo inaugurated the first Voodoo Festival in 1993 to strengthen the spirituality inherent in Voodoo and other African traditional religions and to reclaim Black Africa's identity and dignity. Voodoo Day subsequently became a national holiday in 1998. Now tourists come from all over the world to witness this once seen, never forgotten experience. It's on my bucket list, that's for sure! ☮️Peace… Jamiese of Pixoplanet
