From the sand dunes of Mauritania to the currents of River Senegal, to the Lions of the Beninese savannah to the spirits of the forests of Gabon, this series explores the origin, the nature and the survival of deep links between several populations in West Africa and their habitat.Each episode takes us to discover an emblematic landscape: the river (Senegal), the desert (Mauritania), the forest (Gabon) and the savannah (Benin). Most Muslims in Benin practice the Sunni which is an Islamic branch with the existence of Shi'a Muslims who are very few and are mostly expatriates from the Middle East. was then in Rome receiving his faculties as the Local Ordinary of Benin City. A person's condition after death is directly related to the moral quality of his human existence. It was the crowning moment in a miraculous spiritual adventure. As reported by BBC, their newly formed kingdom, Igodomigodo, was ruled by kings who were called Ogisos, or "rulers of the sky.". 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. Many of them exported their Voodoo culture to colonies such as Brazil and Haiti, and the longer I spent in Ouidah, the more the still thriving undercurrent of spirit-worship began to reveal itself. But Voodoo is more than a belief system, it is a complete way of life, including culture, philosophy, language, art, dance, music and medicine. Spiritualism in Benin is a religious movement based on the belief that departed souls can interact with the living. 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. McCawille in the cemetery on Wednesday, 10th March, to which all those local people who had helped in finding the grave were invited. The priest later explained, ignoring my question about sticking pins into effigies of your enemies (shame, I'd prepared a list!). 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. I entered the now modest Abomey palace of King Benhanzin II, kowtowing at his feet so my forehead brushed the ground. 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. The work you done on evil spirit it's unbelievable. Everywhere I went, I was accompanied by gawping children performing their jaunty little song: "Yovo(white man),yovo, ca va? According to Bacon, the town was rife with "crucifixions, human sacrifices, and every horror the eye could get accustomed to blood was everywhere; smeared over bronzes, ivory, and even the walls." Divination practices typically conclude with a sacrifice. I was fleetingly disappointed to discover it was going to be another a Mami Wata ceremony - but not for long. It was Chinese masquerade meets the 'running of the bulls' at Pamplona. And despite myHammer House of Horrorexpectations, not a drop of sacrificial blood was spilled, nor did any eye-bulging zombies grace the affair. As reported by Google Arts and Culture, Oba Ewuape faced harsh criticism and rebellion from the kingdom and chiefs almost immediately after his appointment. However its rich, and somewhat unusual, past, remains an intriguing part of its legacy. After the Mass he carried a memento from the grave and the candle used during the Mass back to Ireland with him. However, they also took great pride in their city. Religion and the spiritual realm Art and politics Rites of passage Masquerade basics Art and the individual . Their faces were veiled by cowry shell screens. Benin, one of the principal historic kingdoms of the western African forest region (fl. The Bah' Faith was first established in Nigeria in the 1940s. Mr Yaseen, a spiritualist with the highest level of Knowledge. After two days in a taxi with a driver called Filbert, the coastal plain subsided to a rippling landscape of green bush and ochre roads, studded by granite hills. Two brothers, Joe and Ger, and a sister, Eileen Irwin, still reside in Castlebar. Initially, spiritualist gatherings were concerned with demonstrating and investigating mental phenomena such as clairvoyance, telepathy, and the reception of messages from spirits. Once again I was being swept along by a society offering a magical snapshot of life and beliefs before European Christianity arrived. IGHODARO AYELALA SPIRITUAL TEMPLE was incorporated in BENIN-CITY, Nigeria with Registration Number 89089. Company's registered office address is NO. McCawille with his request for information. The Republic of Benin is a West African country that is bordered by Niger, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Nigeria. On a high, I headed north to Abomey the next day. A compass of escape and meeting which rests on two main pillars: the spectacular character of the places, often classified with the UNESCO world heritage, and the charisma of the main characters who are transmitters of their respective traditions.Subscribe to see more full documentaries every week:https://bit.ly/2lneXNyTRACKS publishes unique, unexpected and untold stories from across the world every week. Those suffering from grief after the death of loved ones have been offered the possibility of communicating with them. As reported by The Guardian, the walls were largely destroyed during the Benin Punitive Expedition of 1897, and no known trace of the walls remain in the modern Benin City. Spiritual music, lyrics, and videos from Benin City, NG on ReverbNation In Vodun, a religion originating in coastal West Africa, Fa (also known as Ifa) divination is a key component of religious practice. 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. Chasing a screaming, scattering crowd was a creature maybe 7metreshigh, a masqueraded figure, totally black and oddly tubular. During the expedition, Benin was decimated and burned to the ground. A Mass was celebrated by Fr. Latest Testimonials. Menelik : Spiritual: Miami Nyahbinghi House: A place for giving thanks and praises to the King of Kings, Lord of Lords . Yet what really captivated me were the tales of Voodoo, a practice that is still followed by over 60% of Beninese today and considered the state religion. Copyright 2023 - Yasseen Spiritualist - All rights reserved. The work you done on evil spirit it's unbelievable. Fr. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. People wearing masks during the Egungun Ceremony, Benin (Shutterstock). 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. Still, it was an enjoyable, melodious, almost gospel affair. I followed a fanfarecortege(jazz funeral) and visited a temple writhing with pythons dedicated to the snake god Dan. - These souls can communicate with the material world as spiritualists believe that Islam was brought into Benin by the Songhai-Dendi traders and Hausa from the north. The Voodoo spiritual world consists of Mahou, the supreme being and about 100 divinities - or Voodoos - who represent different phenomena, such as war and blacksmiths (Gou), illness, healing and earth (Sakpata), storms, lightning and justice (Heviosso) or water (Mami Wata). As Pope Benedict XVI visits Benin, widely seen as the home of Voodoo, Virgile Ahissou from BBC Afrique explains the reality behind what is often a misunderstood religion. The population of Benin is approximately 10.8 million people with their official dialect being French. There is also the presence of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community who most recently inaugurated the AL Mahdi Mosque in 2006 in Benin. "Of course," he responded. Seated in a padded armchair, wearing a blue skullcap, white tunic and chequered sarong, his majesty recounted his royal predecessors back to 1620 and in the spirit ofentente cordialewe discussed subjects as diverse as the Channel Tunnel and Concorde's demise. conditions - usually through a medium. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, 3 Requirements To Achieve Happiness According to Epictetus, 10 Countries Where Women Far Outnumber Men. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Between 2012 and 2017, the percentage of American adults who meditated rose from 4.1% to 14.2%, according to a 2018 CDC report. In the tiny West African nation of Benin, Voodoo remains the state religion. In term s of administration , the spiritual leader/General overseers that have administered the church till date are: Most Snr. Kings are ten-a-penny in Benin although, as museum guide Mireille explained, Benin's monarchy endured a hiatus during French colonisation in the 1890s and its 30-year flirtation with Communism. Vodun is a traditional religion that connects not only West Africans in Togo, Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana, but is spread throughout the diaspora. A harmonious female choir sang beautifully and gyrated before the head priest who sat with an ivory cane beneath an inflatable Santa Claus. Handcrafted voodoo statues for sale at the Benin Voodoo festival, near Ouidah (Shutterstock). They also sometimes ask for offerings, such as a chicken or a sheep, which is then sacrificed to the divinity, or some alcohol is poured onto the floor. After the Mass Bishop Kelly accompanied the funeral to the cemetery where he blessed the grave and led the prayers of Christian Burial. Fa divination and its variants have adapted to the needs of the diverse communities in which they are found. In the letter Fr McFadden mentioned the names of the priests who attended the funeral Mass. The artwork was displayed in galleries and used to decorate homes and public buildings. In an attempt to bring her husband peace, and secure his position as Oba, Queen Iden offered herself to be sacrificed. Her tomb is still displayed near the Oba market in Benin City. Those for whom materialistic ways of thinking have precluded belief in a life after death have been given a new hope of immortality. Ouidah's market sells grotesque ritualistic accoutrements used in ceremonies. Our picturee shows Brian Jnr praying at the grave of his late father. spiritualist synonyms, spiritualist pronunciation, spiritualist translation, English dictionary definition of spiritualist. The Guardian reports the king's court was in the direct center of Benin City. R.I.P. the actual grave was located. 13th-19th century). At one stage he was told by one of the local church members that he was engaged in an impossible task. It was designed to be worn suspended on the chest or hips during important ceremonies by the two large side hoops framing the face. Ewuare was succeeded by a line of strong obas, chief of whom were Ozolua the Conqueror (c. 1481c. In 2016, the population of Benin City was estimated to be 1,500,000. The Slave Trade, Depopulation and Human Sacrifice in Benin History. Living Faith Means Living Justly Programme, Jos: Causes of violence are not religious. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. I was ready to converse with the spirit god Dankoli. In The Slave Trade, Depopulation and Human Sacrifice in Benin History, author James D. Graham recounts Commander Bacon's impression of Benin City. 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. The Guardian reports residents kept their homes extraordinarily clean. The term has been applied to traditional African religions.. Animals are often sacrificed in order to bring good luck. With Yvette's help and a cash donation I was finally able to attend an otherwise closed ceremony. The Magnetists had specialized in spiritual healing and the public demonstration of magnetic phenomena (which included hypnotism). One of the most notorious of Benin City's sacrifices was Queen Iden, who was the wife of Oba Ewuape. The white-robed women looked altogether more edgy, with kohl-etched eyes and tattoos. In the inner sanctum of the Djeho Temple, built by Glele for his father Ghezo, the mortar is forged from the blood of 41 slaves. The human body is composed of mind, spirit and emotions. The palace, which was declared one of Nigeria 's UNESCO Listed Heritage sites in 1999, is an architectural wonder. Historically, spiritualism was organized in small groups that conducted sances, or meetings for spirit communication. Contemporary Fa divination usually involves a divining chain, called an akplekan or an opele, after the seeds out of which it is made. n. 1. a. As reported by National Geographic, Benin was also known for its unique architecture, bronze sculptures, and practical infrastructure. Email: bestresult786@yahoo.co.uk. : WELCOME TO EEK OF SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS | THURSDAY | 08-04-2021 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. Here, members of the Bah' community are working together with their . A sort of 'must try harder' school report, potentially remedied by sleeping under a white sheet with a light left on. Dr. Guillory's upcoming book draws on years of archival research, ethnographic observation, and oral history interviews to . Between 1440 and the late 1800s, the Benin Empire thrived and became a successful center for trade. Keeping with tradition, the palace is situated in the center of the city. In addition, Brians cousin, who had spent some time in Kenya, advised Brian to contact the Society of African Missions (SMA) in Cork City. At The Tree of Forgetfulness, Remi explained how "slaves would circle nine times to magically forget everything, so they weren't sad in their new lives.". Masked participants of the Egungun Ceremony, Benin (Shutterstock). Remi, a local guide, showed me the marketplace where slavers bartered 15 male Africans for one cannon. A core belief of spiritualism is that individuals survive the deaths of their bodies by ascending into a spirit existence. His son Esigie controlled Benin City, while another son, Arhuaran, was based in the equally important city of Udo about twenty miles away. On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. The sign is determined by the diviner and named aloud, solidifying the results. Initially, Europeans who visited the city described it as "disorganized." Died at Auchi. By the 1100s, the Edo people gained independence from the Ogisos. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, drawing on spiritual energies or forces through spiritual healing in Benin can be extremely beneficial. However, they realized they still needed a leader. Spiritual healing is not concerned with religion or belief but instead focuses on compatibility. As he told me about Voodoo's living dead we consumed Johnny Walker whisky. Soon, 20 other women were doing the same; a lot of flesh for a modest Englishman. Posted By : / how do i access my talk21 email /; Under :eaglestone village lambertville, mieaglestone village lambertville, mi As reported by The Guardian, mathematical patterns were apparent throughout Benin City, from the length and arrangement of the streets to the shape and size of the buildings. 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. Amid the British Punitive Expedition, Commander R. H. Bacon disputed reports that Benin was a productive, modern, and civilized city. Peter McCawille, SMA, was working in Benin City. Ikhuiwu is an African Canadian. 5.6K views 2 years ago The GeoEx trip, "Mystical West Africa" visits Ouidah, in Benin, considered the spiritual capital of African voodoo. Christianity is the largest religion in Benin, with substantial populations of Muslims and adherents of traditional faiths. . We passed coachloads of white-robed Christians fresh from celebrating the apparition of the Virgin Mary at Dassa-Zoume. 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. A Christian worship service inside the Cotonou Cathedral. Get the very best of Wanderlustby signing up to our newsletters, full of travel inspiration, fun quizzes, exciting competitions and exclusive offers. Larger gatherings were held for public demonstrations of spirit contact and psychic phenomena. May Brian Senior rest in peace until the day of the Resurrection. 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. I met an English-speaking teacher called Yvette who took me to see a local Fa reader. 135 views, 6 likes, 0 loves, 2 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Living Faith Church, GRA. Spiritualists sought to make contact with the dead, commonly through the assistance of a medium, which is a person believed to have the ability to contact spirits directly. Read about our approach to external linking. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. For more information about spiritual healing in Benin, please feel free to contact our friendly team of experts today! In Benin, descent is patrilineal, as only the father appeals to ancestors on behalf of the family.
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