The work you done on evil spirit it's unbelievable. Water, quartz and cowry shells were also heaped on the cast beads. In 2016, the population of Benin City was estimated to be 1,500,000. Synonyms for SPIRITUALIST: psychic, spiritist, medium, channeler, clairvoyant, telepath, channel, mentalist, mind reader, sensitive Beninese worship a pantheon of Voodoo deities and with a good guide and a few financial inducements, authentic ceremonies can be witnessed all year round. Women painting voodoo symbols in a Benin village (Shutterstock). Benin City's family homes were also built using fractal design. After the Mass Bishop Kelly accompanied the funeral to the cemetery where he blessed the grave and led the prayers of Christian Burial. 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. While we spoke, local television showed a wild-eyed man carrying a slaughtered goat's head in his mouth by its severed neck ligaments. This accounts for the similarities in the two groups divination systems and the art surrounding the process. Spiritual guidance questions and answer sessions by Dr. James L. Thompkins and Dr. Leon Moss: Dr. Leon Moss : www.holy-tab: Spiritual: Iam Ubuntu: I am Ubuntu Ministry is available for the community for worship service. In the tiny West African nation of Benin, Voodoo remains the state religion. According to the most recent 2020 estimate, the population of Benin is 52.2% Christian, 24.6% Muslim, 17.9 Animist and 5.3% follows other faiths or has no religion. There are 10+ professionals named "Spiritual Healer", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. Copyright 2023 - Yasseen Spiritualist - All rights reserved. I raised my camera but several men with panic-stricken expressions warned me not to. As he paraded through a crowd, some people collapsed, shaking like fever-pitched evangelists on American TV. 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. - Ramandeep Kaur Cheema. Posted By : / how do i access my talk21 email /; Under :eaglestone village lambertville, mieaglestone village lambertville, mi In 1843, English Methodists began in Benin spreading among the Gun people from the coastal region. The other form of Fa divination involves fadekwin, or the sixteen sacred palm nuts. It communicated to visiting ambassadors, traders, courtiers, and subjects the power and wealth of the Oba (the king). A dancer at Benin Voodoo Festival (Shutterstock). . These days Abomey is a backwater with little pomp or grandeur. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. 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. Corrections? Amid pandemonium, the lady serving my meal screamed, ducked under my table and grabbed my legs. About 70km west from Porto Novo, Ouidah is the most atmospheric and elegantly crumbling small city. Prior to the year 900, the location of today's Benin City was a dense and inhospitable rainforest. The city also manufactures furniture and produces beer and soft drinks. Roman Catholic Christians account for 27% of Benin's population. According to Koffi Thomas Akossi, a diviner in Ouidah, Benin, a diviner is like a guide. Its brass smiths and bronze casters excelled at making naturalistic heads, bas-reliefs, and other sculptures. However its rich, and somewhat unusual, past, remains an intriguing part of its legacy. Vodun has proven itself to be boundlessly adaptable and versatile, enabling it to spread across the world, due in large part to the diasporic effects of the transatlantic slave trade. Email powered by MailChimp (Privacy Policy, Terms of Use), Living traditions of, by, and for the people. The Gate of No Return in Ouidah, Benin (Shutterstock). Get the very best of Wanderlustby signing up to our newsletters, full of travel inspiration, fun quizzes, exciting competitions and exclusive offers. With Yvette's help and a cash donation I was finally able to attend an otherwise closed ceremony. 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 Iya,as it is popularly called by Binis, is the largest man-made earthworks in the world. Real changes may unfold in your life during the weeks after your sessions. Contact Details. The belief that the dead communicate with the living, as through a medium. What Is The Difference Between Catholic And Christian? 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. Protestantism and other Non-Catholic Christians in Benin account for 16% of the population. 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. 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. 13th-19th century). 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. Its numerous craftsmen were organized into guilds, and the kingdom became famous for its ivory and wood carvers. Google Arts and Culture reports Queen Iden was, and is, considered a hero for the sacrifice she made for the betterment of Benin city. Christianity first entered Benin around the year 1680 and gained momentum during the 19th century. On the initial visit the place was overgrown with tall grass and it was impossible to recognise any graves. The funeral Mass took place on 22nd March, 1954 at Holy Cross Cathedral. "White man,' growled a deep baritone voice, before moving on. Fr. Spiritualism in Benin What is Spiritualism? Members of this secretive cult patrol Beninese streets after dark like unofficial police, dressing in haystack costumes and sporting sticks to beat unruly citizens. Juju or ju-ju (French: joujou, lit. The subject of Brians sudden death so far from home was scarcely ever mentioned over the years. 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. Its door was firmly shut. - Every human soul survives the death of the body and enters a spirit-world that surrounds "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. Some simply scared the crowd. Incredibly, he met one man who felt sure that in those days Europeans were buried in a cemetery close to the former Police Station. Generations of Dahomian Kings fought internecine wars, maintained female Amazon warriors with a penchant for decapitation, and sold slaves to the Europeans to equip themselves militarily. Spiritualists in Benin generally believe the following: For more information about spiritualism in Benin, please feel free to contact our friendly team of experts today. As reported by National Geographic, Benin was also known for its unique architecture, bronze sculptures, and practical infrastructure. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. In term s of administration , the spiritual leader/General overseers that have administered the church till date are: Most Snr. 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 . Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). McCawille in the cemetery on Wednesday, 10th March, to which all those local people who had helped in finding the grave were invited. No solid information emerged. The Royal Palace of the Oba of Benin. However, they also took great pride in their city. 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. Spiritualism in Benin is a religious movement based on the belief that departed souls can interact with the living. There is also the presence of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community who most recently inaugurated the AL Mahdi Mosque in 2006 in Benin. Brian began his quest for information about the whereabouts of the grave by contacting the Colonial Office in London. Remi, a local guide, showed me the marketplace where slavers bartered 15 male Africans for one cannon. The white-robed women looked altogether more edgy, with kohl-etched eyes and tattoos. I won't reveal what I wished for. Culturally diverse, Benin's people follow a diverse mix of Christian, Muslim and West African traditional beliefs. Contemporary Fa divination usually involves a divining chain, called an akplekan or an opele, after the seeds out of which it is made. Black Past reports Benin City is once again thriving. Islam in Benin accounts for 24% of the population. Lit by pretty candlelight, the market by night is usually more palatable. The city also manufactures furniture and produces beer and soft drinks. Initially, spiritualist gatherings were concerned with demonstrating and investigating mental phenomena such as clairvoyance, telepathy, and the reception of messages from spirits. 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. It is imperative to mention that during the tenure of Fr . Updates? In halcyon times, Abomey was capital of the feared Dahomey Kingdom (Benin's former name). The number of those who practiced yoga jumped from 9.5% to 14.3% . Spiritualist belief developed during the early decades of the movement. The harmonious singing commenced, as before, but altogether more frenetic. 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). If an animal, typically a chicken or goat, is called for, its blood is spilled onto the altar of the vodun being invoked, along with other offerings such as palm oil, gin, flour, fruit, kola nuts, and even soda and candy. This is one of Beninese Voodoo's most explosive events, where departed ancestral spirits take the form of humans in order to impart wisdom and justice to the living. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. The human body is composed of mind, spirit and emotions. Each of these corresponds with a du sign, which has a specific name and directs the diviner to a verse from the Odu Ifa, a body of divinatory literature that is typically passed down orally. "If you see their eyes, you will die!" Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. 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). Voodoo spirituality, known in Ghana as Vodun, is one of them. From the center, 30 streets, which were approximately 120 feet wide, extended out at right angles like the spokes of a wheel. As reported by BBC, their newly formed kingdom, Igodomigodo, was ruled by kings who were called Ogisos, or "rulers of the sky.". shouted Remi above the cacophony. The Republic of Benin is a West African country that is bordered by Niger, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Nigeria. Historians believe residents often dressed in bright colors, primarily blue, green, and yellow. 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. 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. Stay tuned for more research and stories from the program. 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. The sign is determined by the diviner and named aloud, solidifying the results. Read about our approach to external linking. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. 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. Edited from a report sent by Fr Peter McCawille SMA, Society of African Missions - Ramandeep Kaur Cheema. Residents also appointed judges or moderators to settle disputes and to maintain overall civility. Brian's sudden 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. Benin City. By the 1100s, the Edo people gained independence from the Ogisos. As he told me about Voodoo's living dead we consumed Johnny Walker whisky. 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. 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. Our picturee shows Brian Jnr praying at the grave of his late father. - When people are ill, it is common for them to say that they are low in energy; conversely when people are healthy, we talk about them bursting with energy. The chain consists of eight linked seed halves and is shaped like a U. The diviner, called bokonon in Fongbe and babalawo in Yoruba, throws the chains to the ground, where they turn up in one of the 256 possible formations. 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. Interestingly, the side streets were built with strips of turf in the middle to provide somewhere for animals to graze. Megan Grabill is a research intern at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and an anthropology and comparative studies major at Oberlin College. I would like to say thanks once again. b. 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. Later that afternoon, Yvette and I travelled byzemidjan(motorbike-taxi) to Manikpe Tolapata temple, ten minutes outside Porto Novo. My true motivation wasThe Viceroy of Ouidah, a lyrical novella by Bruce Chatwin. Omissions? The land, which is presently part of southern Nigeria, remained under British control until 1960. The kingdoms prosperity declined with the suppression of the slave trade, and, as its territorial extent shrank, Benins leaders increasingly relied on supernatural rituals and large-scale human sacrifices to protect the state from further territorial encroachment. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. On a high, I headed north to Abomey the next day. - 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. Porto Novo's ceremonial king no longer resides inside Honme's maze of red-earthen compounds. Spiritualism in Benin is a religious movement based on the belief that departed souls can interact with the living. Her second husband, Frank Sweeney, died in 1987. Chatwin's narrative of bloodthirsty African kings, slavery, and French and Portuguese ambitions, is enthralling. Between 1440 and the late 1800s, the Benin Empire thrived and became a successful center for trade. We know our history and tell it to our children.. Two brothers, Joe and Ger, and a sister, Eileen Irwin, still reside in Castlebar. spiritualist synonyms, spiritualist pronunciation, spiritualist translation, English dictionary definition of spiritualist. 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. Later my hotel proprietor explained it to be Gounko, a Nigerian-Yoruba Voodoo figure that chased away evil spirits. Casmin was soon swirling his beads around, eyes glazed and mumbling repetitive invocations. His body was brought back to Agenebode where he received the Sacrament of Extreme Unction. "I'd thoroughly recommend the Route des Esclaves (The Slave Route). The audience hall in the palace in Benin City, in present-day Nigeria, was a space made to wow. The artwork was displayed in galleries and used to decorate homes and public buildings. Brian, Sr. was born in 1917 into a family of 9 boys and 5 girls. 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. I walked around late every evening hoping to witness them, but I never did. 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. I would like to say thanks once again. 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. The main room of the house, which was in the center, was the husband's quarters, the wives' quarters were to the left of the main quarters, and the young men's quarters were on the right. The Benin Empire was ultimately destroyed during the Benin Punitive Expedition of 1897. Society of African Missions - Designed and Developed by, A miraculous spiritual adventure to Benin City. However, it gained independence in 1960 and became the capital of Edo state in 1963. 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. Spirits were said to have the power to levitate objects, to speak independently of the medium, to leave pictures on photographic plates, and to materialize objects, including themselves. 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). 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. 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. 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.". 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. Menelik : Spiritual: Miami Nyahbinghi House: A place for giving thanks and praises to the King of Kings, Lord of Lords . 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. 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. Fa divination retains its popularity because many believe it really works, and a consultation is not usually viewed as conflicting with other religious views, such as Christianity. I met an English-speaking teacher called Yvette who took me to see a local Fa reader. The palace, which was declared one of Nigeria 's UNESCO Listed Heritage sites in 1999, is an architectural wonder. Religious leaders suggested a human sacrifice would help restore order to the kingdom. For all of us gathered around the grave it was a rare moment of great celebration and intense joy. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Christianity entered Benin during the late 16th century. 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. Many associations also sponsored camps where believers could congregate in a leisurely atmosphere, have private sessions with mediums, and attend daily sances. And, hurrah, Voodoo-dolls were tucked into their sarongs, each representing the number of deities they individually worshipped. 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. Roman Catholicism is by far the largest religious group in Benin and is followed closely by Islam and Vodun. I politely refused seconds. Since that time, increasing numbers of people throughout the country have been finding inspiration and guidance in the teachings of Bah'u'llh. deficiencies. People come to diviners for a medley of reasons, ranging from physical ailments to social or spiritual troubles. Historically, spiritualism was organized in small groups that conducted sances, or meetings for spirit communication. Benin, one of the principal historic kingdoms of the western African forest region (fl. It remains an important source of palm kernels, palm oil, and lumber. Ewuare also rebuilt the capital (present-day Benin City), endowing it with great walls and moats. The population of Benin is approximately 10.8 million people with their official dialect being French. Spiritual healing in Benin originates in spirit and is a popular practice based on energy flow. Spiritual healing is not concerned with religion or belief but instead focuses on compatibility. As part of the healing process, some healers use touch while others will have their hands a few inches away from the clients body or will simply sit opposite their client. Elsewhere, I learnt that Glele's harem once overflowed with 4,000 brides - remarkably his libido and heart held out for 31 years of rule. Mr Yaseen, a spiritualist with the highest level of Knowledge. Authority and power are affirmed through observing ancestral veneration rituals. The residents also participated in Benin City's prosperous trade market. Benin City has a renowned teaching hospital and a number of factories. I sensed the Voodoo floodgates were opening. Very early in the movement, however, sances featuring more spectacular physical phenomena were conducted, and mediums arose who specialized in such displays. 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. 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.
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