It communicated to visiting ambassadors, traders, courtiers, and subjects the power and wealth of the Oba (the king). 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. Anyhow this was not my real inspiration for visiting Benin, a peaceful democratic West African minnow squeezed between Nigeria and Togo. "The priests pray for bad spirits to fly away," said a neighbouring man, before a shriek rippled the now feverish crowd. Islam was brought into Benin by the Songhai-Dendi traders and Hausa from the north. Instead, the main altar (bereft of human skulls) was a dribbling accumulation of wax and oil that reminded me of a cheesy table-decoration in an Italian restaurant. I lost all my hopes getting rid of this . 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. That compound is now occupied by Edo State Hospitals Management Board. Benin | historical kingdom, West Africa | Britannica 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. 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. 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. Benin City. Vodun is the center of the religious life and has female priesthood which can be hereditary being passed down from mother to daughter. 20th March 1954. What's for sale at a Voodoo Fetish Market, West Africa (Shutterstock), More goods on sale at a Voodoo Fetish Market (Shutterstock). The Benin Empire was ultimately destroyed during the Benin Punitive Expedition of 1897. View the profiles of professionals named "Spiritual Healer" on LinkedIn. Benin, one of the principal historic kingdoms of the western African forest region (fl. Society of African Missions - Designed and Developed by, A miraculous spiritual adventure to Benin City. It was registered on 19 Jul 2016 and it's current status is unknown. Diviner Aboubacar Taiwo of Porto Novo, Benin, works for many long-distance clients. After communing directly with the powerful Dankoli fetish, a further half-day's drive north at Savalou, Filbert and I returned south for my last day in Benin. Following the Punitive Expedition of 1897, Benin City remained under British control for more than 60 years. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. This rivalry resulted in a high degree of religious and cultural exchange between the Fon and Yoruba, with Dahomey making a conscious effort to incorporate Yoruba art, deities, and cultureincluding Ifa divinationinto its existing set of beliefs. In addition, Brians cousin, who had spent some time in Kenya, advised Brian to contact the Society of African Missions (SMA) in Cork City. conditions - usually through a medium. Portuguese captain Lourenco Pinto, who visited Benin City in 1691, said "Great Benin is larger than Lisbon; all the streets run straight and as far as the eye can see. By the 1100s, the Edo people gained independence from the Ogisos. The practices or doctrines of those holding such a belief. 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 country's population. "He's back," whispered Yvette. A sort of 'must try harder' school report, potentially remedied by sleeping under a white sheet with a light left on. The artwork was displayed in galleries and used to decorate homes and public buildings. Spiritual Healer - Native doctor - Self-employed | LinkedIn It was designed to be worn suspended on the chest or hips during important ceremonies by the two large side hoops framing the face. Vodun is a traditional religion that connects not only West Africans in Togo, Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana, but is spread throughout the diaspora. Benin City's family homes were also built using fractal design. 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. 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. In term s of administration , the spiritual leader/General overseers that have administered the church till date are: Most Snr. He spent the next two days with his friend, Tajudeen who is a Muslim, tidying up the grave and painting it. Amid pandemonium, the lady serving my meal screamed, ducked under my table and grabbed my legs. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Fachtna ODriscoll, SMA, the Provincial of the Irish Province, who informed him that another Irish SMA, Fr. Materials & Size It is a pendant mask made of elephant ivory, iron, and copper alloy. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. In an 8-point paper presentation of the Benin Dialogue Group and Oba Ewuare II Foundation by Ambassador Martins Uhomoibhi, a former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the . Spiritual music, lyrics, and videos from Benin-City, NG on ReverbNation Spiritual music, lyrics, and videos from Benin City, NG on ReverbNation It also profited greatly from the slave trade. Women Leaders in African History: Idia, First Queen Mother of Benin deficiencies. He established a hereditary succession to the throne and vastly expanded the territory of the Benin kingdom, which by the mid-16th century extended from the Niger River delta in the east to what is now Lagos in the west. Although spiritualist practices have been motivated by mere curiosity and fascination with the supernatural, they have also been driven by more serious concerns about the fate of the human soul. At one stage he was told by one of the local church members that he was engaged in an impossible task. I sensed the Voodoo floodgates were opening. Chatwin's narrative of bloodthirsty African kings, slavery, and French and Portuguese ambitions, is enthralling. Using the traditional diviners tools of tray, sand, and shells, he conveys the results over the phone. Some mediums worked while in a trancelike state, and some claimed to be the catalyst for various paranormal physical phenomena (including the materializing or moving of objects) through which spirits announce their presence. Their faces were veiled by cowry shell screens. The priest later explained, ignoring my question about sticking pins into effigies of your enemies (shame, I'd prepared a list!). In Benin, Christianity is the most practiced religion with more than half of the entire Christian group belonging to Roman Catholicism. 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. Filbert knew of an important Voodoo ceremony occurring in Cotonou. Fr. I'd come to see two surviving Unesco-listed Dahomian palaces: the 19th-century mud-walled palaces of Kings Ghezo and Glele, both packed with wonderfully macabre artefacts. A core belief of spiritualism is that individuals survive the deaths of their bodies by ascending into a spirit existence. Amid the British Punitive Expedition, Commander R. H. Bacon disputed reports that Benin was a productive, modern, and civilized city. A pioneer Missionary to the North America born on the 16th June 1947 at Iguogie, in Benin City. The subject of Brians sudden death so far from home was scarcely ever mentioned over the years. Read about our approach to external linking. The audience hall in the palace in Benin City, in present-day Nigeria, was a space made to wow. - Every human soul survives the death of the body and enters a spirit-world that surrounds Residents also appointed judges or moderators to settle disputes and to maintain overall civility. Juju - Wikipedia Edited from a report sent by Fr Peter McCawille SMA, Society of African Missions Soon, 20 other women were doing the same; a lot of flesh for a modest Englishman. Later that afternoon, Yvette and I travelled byzemidjan(motorbike-taxi) to Manikpe Tolapata temple, ten minutes outside Porto Novo. The Oba of Benin Kingdom: A history of the monarchy Two bulky 'monsters' galloped into the arena sending people scattering into a banana grove. 1 follower Join to view profile Self-employed. The number of those who practiced yoga jumped from 9.5% to 14.3% . Animals are often sacrificed in order to bring good luck. As reported by The Guardian, each home had three sections. It is unclear how common human sacrifice was in Benin City, and as reported by Vanguard, current Obas have denied it was ever part of the culture. Spiritual healing can be very empowering for the client, as there is a desire on the healers part to enable each person to heal themselves. "I'd thoroughly recommend the Route des Esclaves (The Slave Route). Today, Ifa divination is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, and bokonon have continued to adapt to and take advantage of technology, selling palm nuts and divining trays on Etsy and even performing divinations over WhatsApp. 2. 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. Approaching the coast, sea breezes rustled coconut groves while crabs gnashed their claws amid mangroves. Religion and the spiritual realm Art and politics Rites of passage Masquerade basics Art and the individual . As reported by The Guardian, Benin city was virtually free from crime, and its residents never went hungry. The oba became the supreme political, judicial, economic, and spiritual leader of his people, and he and his ancestors eventually became the object of state cults that utilized human sacrifice in their religious observances. And, hurrah, Voodoo-dolls were tucked into their sarongs, each representing the number of deities they individually worshipped. Blood is a nourishing force, one that builds community as it is shared between and among humans and spirits. 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. 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. Contact Details. A persons condition after death is directly related to the moral quality of his human existence. Joseph Omesa (later Monsignor) replaced him. In addition to being the fourth-largest city in Nigeria, Benin is the largest city in Edo state. And despite myHammer House of Horrorexpectations, not a drop of sacrificial blood was spilled, nor did any eye-bulging zombies grace the affair. For all of us gathered around the grave it was a rare moment of great celebration and intense joy. Also basic to spiritualist practice is spirit healing. Among the precursors of spiritualism was the Magnetist movement, which had grown out of the magnetic healing theories of Franz Anton Mesmer. 4 IZIEGBE STREET, OFF AIKHIOBARE STREET, GRA. For those who have lost their faith in traditional Christianity, spiritualists have offered a new religion based not on an ancient tradition but on facts that apparently can be observed by anyone. Mr Yaseen, a spiritualist with the highest level of Knowledge. Registered Charity Number (RCN): 20006211. Brian, Sr. was born in 1917 into a family of 9 boys and 5 girls. Some Egungun whirled like dervishes, green, silver and yellow capes creating spinning circles. Yoga versus democracy? What survey data says about spiritual Americans The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Bishop Patrick J Kelly of Benin City was present at the mortuary for the removal of Brians remains to the Holy Cross Cathedral in Benin City. Its brass smiths and bronze casters excelled at making naturalistic heads, bas-reliefs, and other sculptures. 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. In a cupboard-sized room, crammed with potions, the medium Casmin Fabiyi fingered his Fa beads (threads of eight wooden disks) like a rosary. spiritualist in benin city This approach is in harmony with any other healing work you . I politely refused seconds. Masked participants of the Egungun Ceremony, Benin (Shutterstock). Other times, sacrifices are distributed to the neighborhood or to nearby children, and this can be referred to as sara, deriving from Arabic for charity or alms. 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 Bah' Community of Nigeria 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. In an attempt to bring her husband peace, and secure his position as Oba, Queen Iden offered herself to be sacrificed. Beneath an archway on the shoreline, designed to symbolise 'The Gates of No Return', I watched the pummelling Atlantic surf churn grey with sediment and contemplated the terrified thoughts of captured Africans being paddled out to waiting slave galleons bobbing on the horizon. In Benin, Fa is predominantly associated with two ethnic groups, the Fon and the Yoruba. 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. It remains an important source of palm kernels, palm oil, and lumber. Again, the du signs are recorded and named, referring to the relevant verses from the Odu Ifa. 1504; the son of Ewuare) and Esigie (early to mid-16th century; the son of Ozolua), who enjoyed good relations with the Portuguese and sent ambassadors to their king. Megan Grabill is a research intern at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and an anthropology and comparative studies major at Oberlin College. As reported by Black Past, Benin City still has an Oba, who fulfills a traditional cultural role and participates in local and federal governmental proceedings. However, prior to 1897, the network of walls was nearly 10,000 miles in total length and enclosed more than 4.000 square miles of land. The syncretism of Beninese religious life ensured some would be worshipping animist deities later that day. The human body is composed of mind, spirit and emotions. 13th-19th century). As reported by Black Past, little, if anything, remains of the legendary Kingdom of Benin. 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). Google Arts and Culture reports Queen Iden was, and is, considered a hero for the sacrifice she made for the betterment of Benin city. A letter written by Fr Michael McFadden SMA who was working in Ibadan, Oyo State and had attended thefuneral Mass in Benin City provided useful information about Brians death and the details about thefuneral Mass and burial. I walked around late every evening hoping to witness them, but I never did. The work you done on evil spirit it's unbelievable. Kelv-Dee | ReverbNation Late in the 13th century, royal power began to assert itself under the oba Ewedo and was firmly established under the most famous oba, Ewuare the Great (reigned c. 144080), who was described as a great warrior and magician. Fathers Conlon and Kennedy now live at the SMA House, Wilton, Cork. The city also manufactures furniture and produces beer and soft drinks. This can happen when asking for help or when you wish has been granted. For more information about spiritual healing in Benin, please feel free to contact our friendly team of experts today! The figure disappeared into the night. Lit by pretty candlelight, the market by night is usually more palatable. Spiritual music, lyrics, and videos from Benin City, NG on ReverbNation 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). The reality of Voodoo in Benin - BBC News In a local compound where ripening calabash fruits aped basketballs, Remi wangled me into a family ceremony of ancestor worship: Egungun. Religious leaders suggested a human sacrifice would help restore order to the kingdom. Sign up for our newsletter today 10+ "Spiritual Healer" profiles | LinkedIn Iya,as it is popularly called by Binis, is the largest man-made earthworks in the world. The History of Queen Mother Idia of Benin | DailyArt Magazine Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. I followed a fanfarecortege(jazz funeral) and visited a temple writhing with pythons dedicated to the snake god Dan. About 70km west from Porto Novo, Ouidah is the most atmospheric and elegantly crumbling small city. My true motivation wasThe Viceroy of Ouidah, a lyrical novella by Bruce Chatwin. The book also alleges, "There is little doubt that human sacrifices were an integral part of the Benin state religion from the very early days.". Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. His body was brought back to Agenebode where he received the Sacrament of Extreme Unction. Omissions? (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.) Over the next 200 years, the Igodomigodo Kingdom thrived but the Edo people became disenchanted with the Ogisos. Read about our approach to external linking. Very early in the movement, however, sances featuring more spectacular physical phenomena were conducted, and mediums arose who specialized in such displays. He completed the prescribed sacrifices following a January consultation and sent video evidence of them over WhatsApp to his absent client. Living Faith Church, GRA. Benin City. - EEK OF SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS Feeling positive now. Synonyms for SPIRITUALIST: psychic, spiritist, medium, channeler, clairvoyant, telepath, channel, mentalist, mind reader, sensitive Latest Testimonials. 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 Benin City has a renowned teaching hospital and a number of factories. was then in Rome receiving his faculties as the Local Ordinary of Benin City. Benin City has a renowned teaching hospital and a number of factories. However, they realized they still needed a leader. Spiritual healing occurs largely among practitioners who do not see traditional religious faith as a prerequisite for effecting cures. Historians believe residents often dressed in bright colors, primarily blue, green, and yellow. The Slave Trade, Depopulation and Human Sacrifice in Benin History. I raised my camera but several men with panic-stricken expressions warned me not to. Incredibly, he met one man who felt sure that in those days Europeans were buried in a cemetery close to the former Police Station. The practice of human sacrifice was stamped out only after the burning of Benin City in 1897 by the British, after which the depopulated and debilitated kingdom was incorporated into British Nigeria. Some Voodoo priests use herbs to cure the sick - and possibly to poison enemies. Our picturee shows Brian Jnr praying at the grave of his late father. In human cultures in general, and perhaps particularly in Africa, the landscape is the first shrine of tradition. They regularly gathered together to create artwork, visit galleries, and have lively debates. "This is our divinity before Catholicism came along and our way to make our lives better." Her second husband, Frank Sweeney, died in 1987. 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. Many associations also sponsored camps where believers could congregate in a leisurely atmosphere, have private sessions with mediums, and attend daily sances. Before long, Remi and I were pinned against a wall by a hulking Egungun. From the 15th through the 18th century Benin carried on an active trade in ivory, palm oil, and pepper with Portuguese and Dutch traders, for whom it served as a link with tribes in the interior of western Africa. In a village north of Ouidah, the group met with a. 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. People wearing masks during the Egungun Ceremony, Benin (Shutterstock). Religious Beliefs In Benin - WorldAtlas The Guinness Book of Records noted Benin's walls were "the world's largest earthworks prior to the mechanical era.". Voodoo priests ask these gods to intervene on behalf of ordinary people but local adherents stress that they have nothing to do with sorcery or black magic. Once again I was being swept along by a society offering a magical snapshot of life and beliefs before European Christianity arrived. African American Spiritual Churches | The Religious Studies Project Averting my eyes, it brushed its horsehair flywhisk across my face. 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. Brian began his quest for information about the whereabouts of the grave by contacting the Colonial Office in London. People come to diviners for a medley of reasons, ranging from physical ailments to social or spiritual troubles. In halcyon times, Abomey was capital of the feared Dahomey Kingdom (Benin's former name). Juju or ju-ju (French: joujou, lit. Dark Secrets: Voodoo in Benin | Wanderlust A harmonious female choir sang beautifully and gyrated before the head priest who sat with an ivory cane beneath an inflatable Santa Claus. Two brothers, Joe and Ger, and a sister, Eileen Irwin, still reside in Castlebar. The Imagery of Power on Benin Bronze Plaques - Smarthistory Black Past reports Benin City is once again thriving. Benin: City of tradition and culture - Vanguard News Casmin was soon swirling his beads around, eyes glazed and mumbling repetitive invocations. 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. The Non-Catholic Christians in Benin include Jehovah's Witness, Rosicrucians, Methodists, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Unification Church, Assemblies of God, Seventh-day Adventist, Celestial Christians, and Baptists. 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. Until one evening, while enjoying a fried fish and tomato-infused maize meal, a huge commotion occurred. I was fleetingly disappointed to discover it was going to be another a Mami Wata ceremony - but not for long. - 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. St. Sings | ReverbNation Remi, a local guide, showed me the marketplace where slavers bartered 15 male Africans for one cannon. Contrary to the British troops' description of the Benin Kingdom, other visitors described the city as civilized and clean. Brian contacted Fr. An attractive city of spirits worshipped by the animist Goun people, Porto Novo's most visible ghosts are world-weary French houses with honey-coloured facades and peeling shutters, and I spent my first morning exploring its fine museums. 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. First National Spiritual Assembly of Nigeria, 1970. 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. Contemporary Fa divination usually involves a divining chain, called an akplekan or an opele, after the seeds out of which it is made. Voodoo Day is a public holiday and there is a national Voodoo museum. Everywhere I went, I was accompanied by gawping children performing their jaunty little song: "Yovo(white man),yovo, ca va? 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. Fa diviner Koffi Akossa uses chains of kola nut pieces and other materials to gain insight into clients situations. Members of this secretive cult patrol Beninese streets after dark like unofficial police, dressing in haystack costumes and sporting sticks to beat unruly citizens. With Yvette's help and a cash donation I was finally able to attend an otherwise closed ceremony.

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