Voodoo festival

Day 3

We were at the bus at 6.30 but the guide wasn’t as he had an undisclosed problem. Eventually we set off for the Temple of the Python where some voodoo ceremonies would be carried out. We got lost but luckily our late arrival meant we missed the goat slaughter. We watched various rituals. One man knelt by the priest and words were spoken. We all got blessed by having our hands clasped and the clasp broken as as he brought a little branch through thrice. Some people got some palm spirit and a little square of food. A French woman from Nimes with an interest in local culture was being filmed interviewing people. The goat blood was dropped over a big stone then we walked to a garden to pet the python. We had it round our necks - it was a small python.

We had a look at a nearby area with a big tree and lots of large round metal balls. It was where slaves were bought.

We went back to the python temple which was now seething with people to watch the priest and entourage set off for the beach.

We followed for a few km to order our lunch for later then to a road block from where we walked to the actual festival, attended by around 50,000. There were 3 areas of seating, all full so everyone got told where to meet at noon, 2 hours later. Some of us were taken to a covered area with seating but no view of the area the performance would happen. After an hour of dignitaries pontificating groups from different areas did their thing. I noticed where they were appearing from so got to an aisle for a better view as they entered the arena. (Blip). The music was loud but Mr C slept through it.

When we were about to head back to the meeting place the guide appeared and told us to wait in the shade - it was now very hot. He rounded up a few more of us and we met all the others at the meeting point, apart from Lloyd. We had to wait 30 mins while the guide wandered about trying to find him. Eventually, after a few people getting hot under the collar, the minibus appeared. Lloyd said he’s been at the meeting place but nobody was as there so instead of waiting, he wandered off.

We had lunch and a beer and were driven back to the hotel to freshen up before the next happening. Some decided they just wanted to chill out but although tired we opted to go with 5 others. First we saw a place to commemorate the people taken as slaves, them went to a village where various groups were drumming persistently and dancing. Some women were bare chested and the men had kaolin painted on the faces and chest. It was interesting enough but then we were all pushed out of the way as 5 pyramid shapes covered with layers of coloured grasses appeared. It was a really interesting experience. They whirled around frantically. At one end of the arena the dignitaries sat on white plastic chairs. In front of them a hen was killed and some blood collected and thrown around. The music and dancing got more frenetic as the grass-covered people pyramids whirled faster and faster. Apparently one women had gone into a trance during a whirling dance.

I had time on our return before it got dark, to tip my toes in the Gulf of Guinea, and have a quick dinner. The wifi is poor so my blip won’t upload tonight. We are having a most interesting trip - Thanks for looking - sadly I can’t see any blips but I’ll catch up when we get home.