Benin’s Voodoo heartland
Often misunderstood, the spiritual religion of Vodun — or Voodoo — conjures up images of primitive rituals, animal sacrifices, spirits and curses. But within every religion, lies beauty and mystery in the practices of those who believe.
Considered the birthplace of Voodoo, the coastal city Ouidah attracts followers from across the country as well as Togo and Nigeria who attend religious ceremonies. Getty photographer Dan Kitwood spent time earlier this year in Ouidah, where some 17 percent of Beninese practice the religion.
The photos in the gallery show Egungun spirits from the Nigerian Yoruba Clan. According to Kitwood, these masqueraded dancers depict ancestral spirits of the clan’s past who are believed to visit earth to possess and offer guidance.
“The constant beat of drumming throughout the day and into the night draws people into the secluded courtyards of Voodoo priests to discover secret ceremonies in hidden shrines and temples,” writes Kitwood on his blog.
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- OUIDAH, BENIN – JANUARY 09: An ‘Egungun’ spirit stands during a Voodoo ceremony on January 09, 2012 in Ouidah, Benin. The Egungun are masqueraded dancers that represents the ancestral spirits of the Yoruba, a Nigerian ethnic group, and are believed to visit earth to possess and give guidance to the living. Ouidah is Benin’s Voodoo heartland, and thought to be the spiritual birthplace of Voodoo or Vodun as it known in Benin. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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- OUIDAH, BENIN – JANUARY 09: An ‘Egungun’ spirit stands during a Voodoo ceremony on January 09, 2012 in Ouidah, Benin. The Egungun are masqueraded dancers that represents the ancestral spirits of the Yoruba, a Nigerian ethnic group, and are believed to visit earth to possess and give guidance to the living. Ouidah is Benin’s Voodoo heartland, and thought to be the spiritual birthplace of Voodoo or Vodun as it known in Benin. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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- OUIDAH, BENIN – JANUARY 09: An ‘Egungun’ spirit stands during a Voodoo ceremony on January 09, 2012 in Ouidah, Benin. The Egungun are masqueraded dancers that represents the ancestral spirits of the Yoruba, a Nigerian ethnic group, and are believed to visit earth to possess and give guidance to the living. Ouidah is Benin’s Voodoo heartland, and thought to be the spiritual birthplace of Voodoo or Vodun as it known in Benin. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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- OUIDAH, BENIN – JANUARY 10: An ‘Egungun’ spirit stands during a Voodoo ceremony on January 10, 2012 in Ouidah, Benin. The Egungun are masqueraded dancers that represents the ancestral spirits of the Yoruba, a Nigerian ethnic group, and are believed to visit earth to possess and give guidance to the living. Ouidah is Benin’s Voodoo heartland, and thought to be the spiritual birthplace of Voodoo or Vodun as it known in Benin. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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- OUIDAH, BENIN – JANUARY 10: An ‘Egungun’ spirit stands during a Voodoo ceremony on January 10, 2012 in Ouidah, Benin. The Egungun are masqueraded dancers that represents the ancestral spirits of the Yoruba, a Nigerian ethnic group, and are believed to visit earth to possess and give guidance to the living. Ouidah is Benin’s Voodoo heartland, and thought to be the spiritual birthplace of Voodoo or Vodun as it known in Benin. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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- OUIDAH, BENIN – JANUARY 10: ‘Egungun’ spirits stand during a Voodoo ceremony on January 10, 2012 in Ouidah, Benin. Shrouded in mystery and often misunderstood, Voodoo was acknowledged as an official religion in Benin in 1989, and is increasing in popularity with around 17 percent of the population following it.(Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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- OUIDAH, BENIN – JANUARY 10: ‘Egungun’ spirits stand during a Voodoo ceremony on January 10, 2012 in Ouidah, Benin. Shrouded in mystery and often misunderstood, Voodoo was acknowledged as an official religion in Benin in 1989, and is increasing in popularity with around 17 percent of the population following it.(Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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- OUIDAH, BENIN – JANUARY 10: An ‘Egungun’ spirit stands during a Voodoo ceremony on January 10, 2012 in Ouidah, Benin. Shrouded in mystery and often misunderstood, Voodoo was acknowledged as an official religion in Benin in 1989, and is increasing in popularity with around 17 percent of the population following it. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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- OUIDAH, BENIN – JANUARY 11: Nigerian Yaruba Voodoo Spirits perform during a Voodoo ceremony on January 11, 2012 in Ouidah, Benin. Ouidah is Benin’s Voodoo heartland, and thought to be the spiritual birthplace of Voodoo or Vodun as it known in Benin. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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- OUIDAH, BENIN – JANUARY 11: Nigerian Yaruba Voodoo Spirits perform during a Voodoo ceremony on January 11, 2012 in Ouidah, Benin. Ouidah is Benin’s Voodoo heartland, and thought to be the spiritual birthplace of Voodoo or Vodun as it known in Benin. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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- OUIDAH, BENIN – JANUARY 11: An ‘Egungun’ spirit stands during a Voodoo ceremony on January 11, 2012 in Ouidah, Benin. The Egungun are masqueraded dancers that represents the ancestral spirits of the Yoruba, a Nigerian ethnic group, and are believed to visit earth to possess and give guidance to the living. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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- OUIDAH, BENIN – JANUARY 11: An ‘Egungun’ spirit from the Nigerian Yoruba Clan, stands during a Voodoo ceremony on January 11, 2012 in Ouidah, Benin. The Egungun are masqueraded dancers that represents the ancestral spirits of the Yoruba, a Nigerian ethnic group, and are believed to visit earth to possess and give guidance to the living. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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- OUIDAH, BENIN – JANUARY 11: An ‘Egungun’ spirit from the Nigerian Yoruba Clan, stands during a Voodoo ceremony on January 11, 2012 in Ouidah, Benin. The Egungun are masqueraded dancers that represents the ancestral spirits of the Yoruba, a Nigerian ethnic group, and are believed to visit earth to possess and give guidance to the living. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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