They regularly gathered together to create artwork, visit galleries, and have lively debates. The kingdom of Benin (in present-day Nigeria) was plunged into a state of turmoil at the end of the fifteenth century when the oba (king) Ozolua died and left two powerful sons to dispute succession. In present-day Benin and Nigeria, Dahomey, a Fon kingdom founded in the seventeenth century, and Oyo, a Yoruba kingdom founded in the fourteenth century, were rival states. Approaching the coast, sea breezes rustled coconut groves while crabs gnashed their claws amid mangroves. As he paraded through a crowd, some people collapsed, shaking like fever-pitched evangelists on American TV. Benin City's family homes were also built using fractal design. Latest Testimonials. A persons condition after death is directly related to the moral quality of his human existence. Although rumors suggest a portion of one of the walls remains intact, hidden in the Nigerian bush, it is unlikely as there was no effort to preserve or restore any of the remnants left standing following the Punitive Expedition. People here do not stick needles into dolls to cause misfortune to their enemies, as you see in some Western films - this image may have arisen from the icons of a particular god which a priest may have in their shrine. It also profited greatly from the slave trade. The Roman Catholic Christians in Benin have 900 women and men in religious order and 440 priests. Died at Auchi. R.I.P. the actual grave was located. I entered the now modest Abomey palace of King Benhanzin II, kowtowing at his feet so my forehead brushed the ground. People come to diviners for a medley of reasons, ranging from physical ailments to social or spiritual troubles. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. The work you done on evil spirit it's unbelievable. It remains an important source of palm kernels, palm oil, and lumber. In 1843, English Methodists began in Benin spreading among the Gun people from the coastal region. He explained that diviners can save lives by solving both spiritual and physical problems. I politely refused seconds. However, my next destination, Chatwin's occult capital Ouidah, promised something a little morenoire. Interestingly, the side streets were built with strips of turf in the middle to provide somewhere for animals to graze. It was a hugely emotional moment for Brian, standing at the grave of the father whom he had never met and who had died almost 57 years ago to the day. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Corrections? Vodun which means spirit in the Ewe and Fon language is widely practiced by many West African countries mostly in the southern and central regions of Benin. Benin City is situated on a branch of the Benin River and lies along the main highways from Lagos to the eastern states. - People who are frustrated with chronic or recurring problems, - People who don't like to take medication, - People who have been in prolonged forms of treatment without much result, - People who are emotionally suffering and are unable to understand the source of their unhappiness, confusion, or anxiety, - Universal energy or spiritual force (non-religious) can be directed by intention, - When focused on the human body, via the aura (human energy field), it raises the spiritual vibrations of that person, improving health that allows your highest nature to unfold, - For optimum healing, repeated treatments are needed to overcome the bodys inertia. However, they realized they still needed a leader. Again, the du signs are recorded and named, referring to the relevant verses from the Odu Ifa. Those suffering from grief after the death of loved ones have been offered the possibility of communicating with them. The human body is composed of mind, spirit and emotions. Progress was slow and largely unproductive. Megan Grabill is a research intern at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and an anthropology and comparative studies major at Oberlin College. Across Africa, the practice of divination is a way of knowing that is widely used and widely varied. In the tiny West African nation of Benin, Voodoo remains the state religion. Suddenly an ageing lady, head lolling on her neck, pulled down her top and started beating her breasts. A sort of 'must try harder' school report, potentially remedied by sleeping under a white sheet with a light left on. I asked him if he worshipped Voodoo? Meeting a Beninese king is a real highlight and not difficult to arrange: bring something to toast him and present a gratuity of about US$25-50. His twosons, Paul, born in December 1951 and his younger brother, Brian, born in November 1953, just after his father had gone to Nigeria, were not old enough to fully understand the circumstances surrounding their dads death at the age of 37. During the treatment session, the client is always made to feel safe and comfortable with some spiritual healers preferring to have their clients lie on a massage table, while others may ask if they can remain sitting up. Brian served the Mass mindful of the fact that his father Brian, Sr. had also served Mass every day on board the ship, the Aureol, which had brought him to Nigeria in the company of many Irish missionaries. Protestantism and other Non-Catholic Christians in Benin account for 16% of the population. The Guardian reports residents kept their homes extraordinarily clean. With Yvette's help and a cash donation I was finally able to attend an otherwise closed ceremony. The subject of Brians sudden death so far from home was scarcely ever mentioned over the years. 2023 BBC. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Spiritual has 1 job listed on their profile. Here, members of the Bah' community are working together with their . Later my hotel proprietor explained it to be Gounko, a Nigerian-Yoruba Voodoo figure that chased away evil spirits. Nor does he take advantage of the royal bathhouse where two new queens were once prepared for the reigning monarch every 21 days, or the mysterious chambre noire where successive rulers consulted the spirits about their destiny. For more information about spiritual healing in Benin, please feel free to contact our friendly team of experts today! They are practiced in Haiti, Cuba, Brazil, and the United States as an aspect of religions such as Santeria, Voodoo, and Candombl. Benin | historical kingdom, West Africa | Britannica Voodoo spirituality, known in Ghana as Vodun, is one of them. Authority and power are affirmed through observing ancestral veneration rituals. The city is wealthy and industrious. Ikhuiwu is an African Canadian. Some Voodoo priests use herbs to cure the sick - and possibly to poison enemies. Menelik : Spiritual: Miami Nyahbinghi House: A place for giving thanks and praises to the King of Kings, Lord of Lords . Her tomb is still displayed near the Oba market in Benin City. A core belief of spiritualism is that individuals survive the deaths of their bodies by ascending into a spirit existence. Under these obas Benin became a highly organized state. Benin is a religiously diverse country consisting of Atheism and Agnosticism which accounts for 7% of the population, West African folk religions and traditional beliefs aside from Vodun which accounts for 6% of Benin's population and Eckankar, Baha'i faith and other beliefs accounting for 3% of the countrys population. Keeping with tradition, the palace is situated in the center of the city. Before long, Remi and I were pinned against a wall by a hulking Egungun. Still, it was an enjoyable, melodious, almost gospel affair. Brian McCormack and his friend Tajudeen Busari arrived in Benin City on Sunday, 7th March and visited the grave the next day. "White man,' growled a deep baritone voice, before moving on. Casmin was soon swirling his beads around, eyes glazed and mumbling repetitive invocations. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH BENIN CITY (1941 - 2021) ST. . 2. While Voodoo certainly isn't fiction here, witnessing it in action seems unlikely at first. Prior to the year 900, the location of today's Benin City was a dense and inhospitable rainforest. Get the very best of Wanderlustby signing up to our newsletters, full of travel inspiration, fun quizzes, exciting competitions and exclusive offers. I would like to say thanks once again. The African American Spiritual Churches are combinatory religious sites, which blend Protestant, Catholic, Spiritualist, Haitian Voodoo, and Benin's traditional Vodun practices. Other variants of the system are found across the region, a result of its dynamic history. Larger gatherings were held for public demonstrations of spirit contact and psychic phenomena. "He's back," whispered Yvette. Since that time, increasing numbers of people throughout the country have been finding inspiration and guidance in the teachings of Bah'u'llh. Frenzied drumming ushered the Egungun into the compound. In a cupboard-sized room, crammed with potions, the medium Casmin Fabiyi fingered his Fa beads (threads of eight wooden disks) like a rosary. I met an English-speaking teacher called Yvette who took me to see a local Fa reader. The type of people who would gain benefits from consulting with a Spiritual Healer in Benin include: Spiritual healing usually picks up where other treatments left off. AI chatbots 'may soon be more intelligent than us', Russia troop deaths hit 20,000 in five months - US, France May Day protests leave dozens of police injured, 'My wife and six children joined Kenya starvation cult', Cat-and-mouse chase with China in hotly contested sea, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. For more information about spiritual healing in Benin, please feel free to contact our friendly team of experts today! At one stage he was told by one of the local church members that he was engaged in an impossible task. Various chronic, recurring, or nagging conditions can be healed or greatly relieved by the more subtle processes of spiritual healing. Through sacrifice, bokonon are able to communicate with deities and manipulate asean intangible concept, sometimes described as spirit or life force. Everything has asepeople and animals, as well as vodun. (Lagos was in fact founded by a Benin army and continued to pay tribute to the oba of Benin until the end of the 19th century.) deficiencies. Benin: A Country Armed With Powerful Spirituality - YouTube Privileged regalia. Just five months into his contract on 20th March, 1954 he died from natural causes while inspecting a rice plantation project near Agenebode, a 2-hour drive from Benin City where he lived. Registered Charity Number (RCN): 20006211. 1 follower Join to view profile Self-employed. Black Past reports Benin City is once again thriving. Spiritual healing is not concerned with religion or belief but instead focuses on compatibility. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Benin-historical-kingdom-West-Africa, Art and Life in Africa - University of Iowa Museum of Art - Benin Kingdom, World History Encyclopedia - Kingdom of Benin, The British Museum - Benin: an African kingdom, Humanities LibreTexts - Kingdom of Benin (1180 CE 1897 CE), kingdom of Benin - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Spiritualism in Benin is a religious movement based on the belief that departed souls can interact with the living. The other form of Fa divination involves fadekwin, or the sixteen sacred palm nuts. African American Spiritual Churches | The Religious Studies Project Chatwin's narrative of bloodthirsty African kings, slavery, and French and Portuguese ambitions, is enthralling. Those for whom materialistic ways of thinking have precluded belief in a life after death have been given a new hope of immortality. In a general sense, the term "juju" can be used to refer to magical properties dealing with good luck. Religion and the spiritual realm Art and politics Rites of passage Masquerade basics Art and the individual . People across West Africa, especially Togo, Ghana and Nigeria hold similar beliefs but in Benin it is recognised as an official religion, followed by some 40% of the population. The strong involvement of emotion in both the acceptance and the rejection of spiritualism has made it difficult to appraise impartially the evidence for and against it. - Deepening connections with other people, - Seeking greater meaning and purpose in life, - Desiring to make the world a better place, - Asking deep questions about topics such as suffering and what happens after death, - Experiencing compassion and empathy for others, - Experiencing feelings of interconnectedness, - Seeking happiness beyond material possessions or other external rewards, - Less stress, even during difficult times, - Greater capacity to handle stress and stressful situations. Contemporary Fa divination usually involves a divining chain, called an akplekan or an opele, after the seeds out of which it is made. The Bah' Faith was first established in Nigeria in the 1940s. Copyright 2023 - Yasseen Spiritualist - All rights reserved. Across the Atlantic, Fon, Yoruba, and other African systems of belief mixed with colonially imposed Catholicism, particularly by combining Roman Catholic saints and Fon vodun/Yoruba orisha, thereby enabling enslaved people to covertly continue their religious practices. Two brothers, Joe and Ger, and a sister, Eileen Irwin, still reside in Castlebar. Members of this secretive cult patrol Beninese streets after dark like unofficial police, dressing in haystack costumes and sporting sticks to beat unruly citizens. In Benin, Fa is predominantly associated with two ethnic groups, the Fon and the Yoruba. Not only did Benin City have an incredible network of walls, but the entire city was also built using fractal design. Religion in Benin - Wikipedia The palace, which was declared one of Nigeria 's UNESCO Listed Heritage sites in 1999, is an architectural wonder. These days Abomey is a backwater with little pomp or grandeur. Historians believe residents often dressed in bright colors, primarily blue, green, and yellow. Spirituality - The Collective Black People Movement (CBPM) Nearby, the hefty wooden doors of a curious-looking building shaped like an enormous haystack the lodge of the god Zangbeto were closed too. The descendants of Benins ruling dynasty still occupy the throne in Benin City (although the present-day oba has only an advisory role in government). Masked participants of the Egungun Ceremony, Benin (Shutterstock). Following the Punitive Expedition of 1897, Benin City remained under British control for more than 60 years. The audience hall in the palace in Benin City, in present-day Nigeria, was a space made to wow. We ended by sipping cassava gin infused with herbs to remedy erectile dysfunction. "The power of Mawa-Lissa (Voodoo's Supreme Being) sent Fa to earth as a medium to answer questions about the future," Yvette told me, also describing how the medium casts his beads into one of 256 positions that he then interprets as the word of his god. Tradition asserts that the Edo people became dissatisfied with the rule of a dynasty of semimythical kings, the ogisos, and in the 13th century they invited Prince Oranmiyan of Ife to rule them. Spiritual music, lyrics, and videos from Benin City, NG on ReverbNation Each home was also outfitted with a well, which provided the family with fresh water. Benin City. St. Sings | ReverbNation Somebody had seen an evil vision, so a semi-naked Voodoosi came over, cast sanctified water over us and urged the sacrifice of a chicken to atone. Living Faith Church, GRA. Benin City. - EEK OF SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS Some simply scared the crowd. Benin is bathed in simplistic beauty yet possesses a thrilling, mystical underbelly. The smaller side streets were also built in mathematical patterns. gospel blog | ReverbNation Dark Secrets: Voodoo in Benin | Wanderlust We passed coachloads of white-robed Christians fresh from celebrating the apparition of the Virgin Mary at Dassa-Zoume. Society of African Missions - Designed and Developed by, A miraculous spiritual adventure to Benin City. 135 views, 6 likes, 0 loves, 2 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Living Faith Church, GRA. "Of course," he responded. Spiritualism - Belief and practice | Britannica Women painting voodoo symbols in a Benin village (Shutterstock). From \"Today In Africa\"Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TRACKSTravelChannel/Content licensed from ZED Media to Little Dot Studios.Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com It traces the final 3.5km walk made by thousands of slaves from Ouidah to the Atlantic coast, many dispatched long after abolition by Dom Francisco de Souza. Its numerous craftsmen were organized into guilds, and the kingdom became famous for its ivory and wood carvers. I wandered the city's caramel-coloured, sandy streets, noting sumptuous architectural landmarks such as the Portuguese Fort built in 1721 to administer slave transportations, and Afro-Brazilian mansions of emancipated slaves returning from the Americas. Brian contacted Fr. The History of Queen Mother Idia of Benin | DailyArt Magazine And then fate eventually smiled upon me. Written nearly 30 years ago, it tells of Dom Francisco de Silva, a 19th-century Brazilian migrant who became Benin's most notorious slave trader. Dr Susan Oduwa voodoo and herbal temple | Bnin - Facebook I would like to say thanks once again. Visiting a Voodoo Priest near Ouidah, Benin | GeoEx - YouTube However, by the dawn of the new century, the Edo people began clearing the rainforest and eventually building homes on the land. Remi, a local guide, showed me the marketplace where slavers bartered 15 male Africans for one cannon. Every morning the irresistible aroma of freshly baked baguette drove me mad with hunger pangs and after a few days Voodoo was the last thing on my mind. The Magnetists had specialized in spiritual healing and the public demonstration of magnetic phenomena (which included hypnotism). In attendance were Bishop Kelly SMA and Fathers Michael McFadden SMA, also a native of Castlebar, Joseph Stephens SMA, Joseph Hilliard SMA, Thomas Murray SMA, Joseph Conboy SMA, William Kennedy SMA and James Conlon SMA. Their mother remarried in 1956 and had 5 more children, 3 girls and 2 boys. "I'd thoroughly recommend the Route des Esclaves (The Slave Route). Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. It remains an important source of palm kernels, palm oil, and lumber. My reading was not particularly flattering. A musty odour reeks from dehydrated bits of crocodile snouts, hippos' feet, pigs' penises, whole chameleons, pangolins, and (look away pet-lovers) cat and dog heads. All but the last two have gone to their eternal reward. Benin, one of the principal historic kingdoms of the western African forest region (fl. The Best Things to Do in Benin City, Nigeria Just like most nominal Muslims, some nominal Christians also practice traditional local religious beliefs. Mr Yaseen, a spiritualist with the highest level of Knowledge. Handcrafted voodoo statues for sale at the Benin Voodoo festival, near Ouidah (Shutterstock). The Oba of Benin Kingdom: A history of the monarchy It was designed to be worn suspended on the chest or hips during important ceremonies by the two large side hoops framing the face. The harmonious singing commenced, as before, but altogether more frenetic. The Guinness Book of Records noted Benin's walls were "the world's largest earthworks prior to the mechanical era.". The white-robed women looked altogether more edgy, with kohl-etched eyes and tattoos. Support the Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, sustainability projects, educational outreach, and more. Religious Beliefs In Benin - WorldAtlas Culturally diverse, Benin's people follow a diverse mix of Christian, Muslim and West African traditional beliefs. I lost all my hopes getting rid of this evil spirit after trying many years get rid of him but you made the impossible thing into possible and that is out of our life. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. In October 1953 Brian McCormack, a native of Castlebar, Co. Mayo, entered the Colonial Service and took up employment as an agricultural engineer in Mid-West Nigeria. There are three major public cemeteries in Benin City. Although the specific age of the home is unknown, the architectural style suggests it was built in the mid to late 1800s. 5.6K views 2 years ago The GeoEx trip, "Mystical West Africa" visits Ouidah, in Benin, considered the spiritual capital of African voodoo. People seek help on a variety of issues - to be cured of a disease, find a job, complete a business deal, find a spouse or have a child. As reported by This is Africa, Benin's walls provided a border around the empire and boundaries for its villages for over 400 years before they were destroyed in the British invasion. As reported by The Guardian, the residents were likely active in the evenings, as the streets were outfitted with street lights fueled with palm oil. As reported by BBC, their newly formed kingdom, Igodomigodo, was ruled by kings who were called Ogisos, or "rulers of the sky.". The city also manufactures furniture and produces beer and soft drinks. What Is The Difference Between Catholic And Christian? Kelv-Dee | ReverbNation Vodun is the center of the religious life and has female priesthood which can be hereditary being passed down from mother to daughter. It was the crowning moment in a miraculous spiritual adventure. Copyright 2023 - Yasseen Spiritualist - All rights reserved. In a local compound where ripening calabash fruits aped basketballs, Remi wangled me into a family ceremony of ancestor worship: Egungun. Only those who live a virtuous and good existence earn the privilege of reincarnation; those who are unkind or deceitful don't get to be reborn. Thanks to the kindness and co-operation of the Chief Executive of the Hospitals Management Board, Dr. M. A. Osumah, and the Secretary, Mr Ofure Oriafor, the grave was located. The Slave Trade, Depopulation and Human Sacrifice in Benin History. As reported by The Guardian, each home had three sections. VideoOn board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, Indian officials wife distraught as his killer is freed, I didnt think make-up was made for black girls, Why there is serious money in kitchen fumes. Two brothers, Joe and Ger, and a sister, Eileen Irwin, still reside in Castlebar. I raised my camera but several men with panic-stricken expressions warned me not to. Recommended As reported by Google Arts and Culture, Oba Ewuape faced harsh criticism and rebellion from the kingdom and chiefs almost immediately after his appointment. I was fleetingly disappointed to discover it was going to be another a Mami Wata ceremony - but not for long. . The Republic of Benin is a West African country that is bordered by Niger, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Nigeria. St. Joseph Catholic Church Brian, Sr. was born in 1917 into a family of 9 boys and 5 girls. At dusk I settled into a bar near the Python Temple and watched clouds of fruit bats funnel from a mango tree like departing souls. Edited from a report sent by Fr Peter McCawille SMA, Society of African Missions Vodun religious beliefs are entirely different from other African traditional beliefs since it is syncretized with Christian beliefs to some extent together with indigenous American traditions and the traditional beliefs of the Kongo people. Roman Catholic Christians account for 27% of Benin's population. Communion with the spiritual world is both possible and desirable, and spiritual healing is the natural result of such communication. He immediately alerted his mother and the extended family by phone to his discovery. The city also manufactures furniture and produces beer and soft drinks. Yoruba Religion: History and Beliefs See more information about the objects on Learning Lab. He promptly rang Fr. However its rich, and somewhat unusual, past, remains an intriguing part of its legacy. It is imperative to mention that during the tenure of Fr . First National Spiritual Assembly of Nigeria, 1970. However, Mr Oriafor graciously assured Fr McCawille that the grass would be cut the next day. When Mami Wata'sVoodoosis(followers) filed in, predominately women in white robes, I was very excited. Female leadership and business management has been essential in the history of these churches. A Look At Today's Voodoo Spirituality In Ghana The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 10+ "Spiritual Healer" profiles | LinkedIn The artwork was displayed in galleries and used to decorate homes and public buildings. After beseeching the god to grant my wish, I sealed our deal by anointing the shrine with blood-red palm oil and spitting out three mouthfuls of fiery homemade gin. I lost all my hopes getting rid of this evil spirit after trying many years get rid of him but you made the impossible thing into possible and that is out of our life. The syncretism of Beninese religious life ensured some would be worshipping animist deities later that day. In 2020, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival will feature a program about the West African nation of Benin and how communities connect to their environment through spirituality and traditional knowledge. Hornbills glided across the road with greater ease than the strugglingtaxis-brousse(bush taxis) bearing chassis-bending loads of people and cargo bound for Cotonou. Although it was built after the Punitive Expedition of 1897, Benin's Royal Palace of the Oba is officially listed as one of Nigeria's heritage sites. Yovo, yovo, bonjour. Between 2012 and 2017, the percentage of American adults who meditated rose from 4.1% to 14.2%, according to a 2018 CDC report. The weaker obas sequestered themselves in their palaces and took refuge in the rituals of divine kingship while indiscriminately granting aristocratic titles to an expanding class of nonproductive nobles. Living Faith Means Living Justly Programme, Jos: Causes of violence are not religious. spiritualist synonyms, spiritualist pronunciation, spiritualist translation, English dictionary definition of spiritualist. Brianssudden death was a huge blow to his wife, Patricia, who is still hale and hearty and living in her native Dublin, and the other members of his family. This accounts for the similarities in the two groups divination systems and the art surrounding the process. Home page - Souls Journey They started to swop stories and mention of his dads death in Nigeria all those years ago nurtured in Brians mind the desire to locate his fathers grave. I was ready to converse with the spirit god Dankoli. Stick-bearers tried to stop the Egunguns' robes inauspiciously touching the living. Soon, 20 other women were doing the same; a lot of flesh for a modest Englishman. Benin's Catholic hierarchy includes the Archdiocese of Cotonou which consists of the Dassa-Zoume, Lokossa, Abomey, Porto Novo Dioceses and the Parakou composed of the Natitingou, Djougou, N'dali and Kandi Dioceses.

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