"FESTIVALS DIVINITES NOIRES" (THE FESTIVAL OF BLACK DEITIES) - THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL FOR VOODOO PRACTITIONERS AT ANEHO,TOGO
The "Festivals Des Divinites Noires" (The Festival of Black Deities) is celebrated annually at the Togo`s ancient city of Aneho at different months (but in recent times in December) as its organizers (Acofin African Heritage Association) deemed it fit. The festival identifies 41 vodoun (voodoo) deities for worship and celebration. Voodoo was born in Benin (Dahomey) and Togo as well as Kongo before being exported to Brazil, Cuba. United States of America (Louisiana,New Orleans) and Haiti (where it is largely practiced).
Traditional Dancers at "Festivals Des Divinites Noires" (The Festival of Black Deities) at Aneho,Togo
The voodoo religion has about 80 million followers worldwide. They are from Santo Domingo, Cuba, Brazil, Louisiana, Benin, Togo,,Ghana. Nigeria, Cameroon and Haiti.Voodoo religion is an extraordinary pace, special chanted music that its practitioners sing and goes into spiritual trance, cries of revolt as it occurred in Haiti and also makes Africans rediscover their own roots.
The major motivation for this festival is to afford both Africans and Africans in diaspora an opportunity for their historical identification, restoration and promotion of African heritage. For Acofin association, the promoters of the "Festivals Des Divinites Noires," the celebration is a memory issue, ownership, rehabilitation, and recovery for the African people living everywhere.
Togolese Ewe Vodoun Mami wata devotee dancing Agbaza
Aneho is located 45 kilometers from Lome, the capital city of Togo. Aneho, Glidji in Togo and Abomey and Ouidah, towns in the neighboring city of Benin, are known as the cradle of Vodoun (Voodoo) in the world. Aneho is the land of Mina ( Mina people are mostly Fantes from Ghana`s Central regional ancient town of Elmina (Edina) that went to sojourn in Togo and Benin to engage in their fishing occupation) and Guin people.
They speak both language Ewe and Mina alongside two major languages of Togo such as Kabyè and Kotokoli. The historical account on traditional African religion concedes of Togo`s place as a powerful Voodoo land.
Akan voodoo devotees with their chief in palanquin arriving at the festival ground
There large shopping centers in Togo in the colonial times, but the slave trade affected their operations. Aneho was twice the size of Lome, the capital of Togo during the colonial days. The remains of the buildings and their architecture are reminiscent of the colonial period, testifying to the town`s important past.
ZANGBETO AT FESTIVAL DES DIVINITES NOIRES 2011 ANEHO,TOGO
Aneho is committed in their respect for traditions and culture. As a result they have kept their ancestral worship in its royalty, pomp and pageantry. Among the great and notable families include the LAWSON, JOHNSON, BRUCE WILSON SANVEE ... Many intellectuals are from Togo city of Aneho. It is Aneho people that drawn up Acofin, the biggest festival scene black deities.
BLEKETE D'AKUMAPE au festival des divinités noires 2011 à ANEHO
The Festival of Black Deities ("Festivals Des Divinites Noires") was established in 2006 by Acofin organization . It is for meetings, exchanges, training, transmission, exploration and groundbreaking discoveries. Initially its concentration was to give priority to traditional religions and initiation societies.
vodoun devotees
This is because Africa is full of many initiation societies. Among the most famous are men leopards in Democratic Congo, the Dogon of Mali, Poro initiation among the Senoufo people of Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Mali, the Mossi of Burkina - Faso, the Fang of Gabon, the Kondonas Pya Togo etc
Afro-Latino vodoun devotees in their traditional dress
For seven years the Festival of Black Deities always opens at Glidji. Glidji is a 10-minute drive from Aného. Glidji is the undisputed "Temple of traditional religions." Nicknamed the "Vatican" of voodoo, Glidji is famous for its temples, monasteries, its high priests, her priestesses, the sacred forest where there come that insiders in a state of purity.
Two Krobo women in initiation dress and dancing at the festival.Photo credit::noeltadegnon.
And as in Ouidah in Benin, Glidji has its sacred pythons revered by the people of Guinea Coast and Africa. The ceremony of taking the sacred stone is held every year in Glidji.
"Adjifos" of Togo - Glidji - Festival des Divinités noire
To the promoters of the "Festivals Des Divinites Noires" (The Festival of Black Deities) initiation rites are on the the decline in African continent as many people have forgotten about their traditional African roots.
Afro-Brazilian vodoun Folkloric ballerina troupe from Bahia,Brazil at Festival For Black Deities at Aneho-Togo.By Délirante bestiole
They maintain that to "ignore or turn their back is morally wrong, because these are traditions bequeathed to us and we have a duty to preserve it. Any inheritance whatsoever is valuable. That is why we promote these treasures and give them the place they deserve. It is an imperative for our association and a duty."
"End of the festival, separation and starting difficult for Brazilian Laétitia"
The festival seeks to revive the role of secret societies in religious, socio-economic and political well-being of Africans. Acofin organisation through the festival, celebrates the initiation societies and traditional religions. "By doing so we believe the younger generations to whom we must transmit the light, of course with the codes of what is now called 'intangible heritage' would see the need to embrace their ancestral heritage. Because these generations are the audiences of tomorrow. Yes we love our heritage, we respect it and we would like to save it. That's why we have put it on stage."
Vodoun devotee Dancers at Festival For Black Deities at Aneho-Lome
Contact of "Festivals Des Divinites Noires" (The Festival of Black Deities)
Seat of Acofin : 203 Boulevard January 16,
Lome - TOGO tel: (00228) 944 July 08
Communication and Media Togo: 00 (228) 969 47 87
Antenna France: 05 53 20 24 57
email: acofin@acofin.net
Adjifo virgin initiate dancers at FESTIVAL OF BLACK DEITIES (GODS) AT GLDJI-TOGO
UNIQUE CULTURAL FACES OF FESTIVAL OF BLACK DEITIES (GODS) AT ANEHO-TOGO
BLEKETE D'AKUMAPE au festival des divinités noires 2011 à ANEHO
Boy dancing Ewe Agbaza at Festival of Black Deities
BLEKETE D'AKUMAPE au festival des divinités noires 2011 à ANEHO
Mami wata vodoun practitioners at festival des divinités noires 2011 àt ANEHO
Adjifo initiation Dancers
Afro-Brazilians.By Délirante bestiole
Girls performing traditions at Festival of Black Deities
BLEKETE D'AKUMAPE au festival des divinités noires 2011 à ANEHO
BLEKETE D'AKUMAPE au festival des divinités noires 2011 à ANEHO
Adjifo initiation dancers
Afro-Brazilian vodoun devotees performing Orixa dance
Kotokoli vodoun devotees cutting his belly with sharp knife but not cutting
Portrait of Mami wata vodoun devotees at Festival of Black Deities ("Festivals Des Divinites Noires")
Traditional dance performance
Voodoo practitioners from Northern Togo Dancing to the festival grounds
"Adjifos" of Togo - Glidji - Festival des Divinités noire
Afro-Brazilian vodoun folkloric ballerina troupe from Bahia,Brazil at Aneho.Togo.By Délirante bestiole
Vodoun practitioner swallowing frog as spectators watch during Festival of Black deities at Aneho-Togo
Afro-Brazilian vodoun devotee with her face painted for Festival for Black Deities carnival at Lome,Togo.By Délirante bestiole
Voodoo practitioner talking to his vodoun dolls
Diasporan Voodoo dancing group
Adjifo initiation dancers
Vodoun devotee dancing Agbaza
Adjifo initiation dress and dotted body painting.
Disaporan Vodoun devotee at the festival
Afro-Cuban Voodoo Dancers
Vodoun devotee at Festival for Black Deities carnival at Lome,Togo
Tourists participating in vodoun dance
Afro-Brazilian vodoun devotee old lady in traditional attire.By Délirante bestiole
Vodoun warriors at Festival in Lome. By Délirante bestiole
Adjifo virgin initiate dancers
Vodoun artist`s sand and shells drawing of Mami wata at Festival Of Black Deities at Aneho
Afro-Brazilian vodoun Folkloric ballet dancers from Bahia at Aneho Festival
Afro-Brazilian vodoun devotee taking photo at Festival for Black Deities in Aneho. Togo
Afro-Brazilian Vodoun Ballerina Dancer at Festival Of Black Deities at Aneho,Lome-Togo.By Délirante bestiole
Photo credits:noeltadegnon.
Traditional Dancers at "Festivals Des Divinites Noires" (The Festival of Black Deities) at Aneho,Togo
The voodoo religion has about 80 million followers worldwide. They are from Santo Domingo, Cuba, Brazil, Louisiana, Benin, Togo,,Ghana. Nigeria, Cameroon and Haiti.Voodoo religion is an extraordinary pace, special chanted music that its practitioners sing and goes into spiritual trance, cries of revolt as it occurred in Haiti and also makes Africans rediscover their own roots.
Aneho is located 45 kilometers from Lome, the capital city of Togo. Aneho, Glidji in Togo and Abomey and Ouidah, towns in the neighboring city of Benin, are known as the cradle of Vodoun (Voodoo) in the world. Aneho is the land of Mina ( Mina people are mostly Fantes from Ghana`s Central regional ancient town of Elmina (Edina) that went to sojourn in Togo and Benin to engage in their fishing occupation) and Guin people.
Portrait of King Lawson of Aneho.By Délirante bestiole
They speak both language Ewe and Mina alongside two major languages of Togo such as Kabyè and Kotokoli. The historical account on traditional African religion concedes of Togo`s place as a powerful Voodoo land.
Akan voodoo devotees with their chief in palanquin arriving at the festival ground
There large shopping centers in Togo in the colonial times, but the slave trade affected their operations. Aneho was twice the size of Lome, the capital of Togo during the colonial days. The remains of the buildings and their architecture are reminiscent of the colonial period, testifying to the town`s important past.
ZANGBETO AT FESTIVAL DES DIVINITES NOIRES 2011 ANEHO,TOGO
Aneho is committed in their respect for traditions and culture. As a result they have kept their ancestral worship in its royalty, pomp and pageantry. Among the great and notable families include the LAWSON, JOHNSON, BRUCE WILSON SANVEE ... Many intellectuals are from Togo city of Aneho. It is Aneho people that drawn up Acofin, the biggest festival scene black deities.
BLEKETE D'AKUMAPE au festival des divinités noires 2011 à ANEHO
The Festival of Black Deities ("Festivals Des Divinites Noires") was established in 2006 by Acofin organization . It is for meetings, exchanges, training, transmission, exploration and groundbreaking discoveries. Initially its concentration was to give priority to traditional religions and initiation societies.
vodoun devotees
This is because Africa is full of many initiation societies. Among the most famous are men leopards in Democratic Congo, the Dogon of Mali, Poro initiation among the Senoufo people of Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Mali, the Mossi of Burkina - Faso, the Fang of Gabon, the Kondonas Pya Togo etc
Afro-Latino vodoun devotees in their traditional dress
For seven years the Festival of Black Deities always opens at Glidji. Glidji is a 10-minute drive from Aného. Glidji is the undisputed "Temple of traditional religions." Nicknamed the "Vatican" of voodoo, Glidji is famous for its temples, monasteries, its high priests, her priestesses, the sacred forest where there come that insiders in a state of purity.
And as in Ouidah in Benin, Glidji has its sacred pythons revered by the people of Guinea Coast and Africa. The ceremony of taking the sacred stone is held every year in Glidji.
To the promoters of the "Festivals Des Divinites Noires" (The Festival of Black Deities) initiation rites are on the the decline in African continent as many people have forgotten about their traditional African roots.
Afro-Brazilian vodoun Folkloric ballerina troupe from Bahia,Brazil at Festival For Black Deities at Aneho-Togo.By Délirante bestiole
They maintain that to "ignore or turn their back is morally wrong, because these are traditions bequeathed to us and we have a duty to preserve it. Any inheritance whatsoever is valuable. That is why we promote these treasures and give them the place they deserve. It is an imperative for our association and a duty."
The festival seeks to revive the role of secret societies in religious, socio-economic and political well-being of Africans. Acofin organisation through the festival, celebrates the initiation societies and traditional religions. "By doing so we believe the younger generations to whom we must transmit the light, of course with the codes of what is now called 'intangible heritage' would see the need to embrace their ancestral heritage. Because these generations are the audiences of tomorrow. Yes we love our heritage, we respect it and we would like to save it. That's why we have put it on stage."
Vodoun devotee Dancers at Festival For Black Deities at Aneho-Lome
Contact of "Festivals Des Divinites Noires" (The Festival of Black Deities)
Seat of Acofin : 203 Boulevard January 16,
Lome - TOGO tel: (00228) 944 July 08
Communication and Media Togo: 00 (228) 969 47 87
Antenna France: 05 53 20 24 57
email: acofin@acofin.net
VIDEO 4TH EDITION
Published November 14, 2012
VIDEOS
- VIDEO 4TH EDITION
- VIDEO 4
- VIDEO 3
- 2008 VIDEO
- VIDEO 2007 (PART 7)
- VIDEO 2007 (PART 6)
- VIDEO 2007 (PART 5)
- VIDEO 2007 (PART 4)
- VIDEO 2007 (PART 3)
- VIDEO 2007 (PART 2)
- VIDEO 2007 (PART 1)
- 7TH
- 7TH EDITION
- 7TH EDITION
- 7TH EDITION
- VIDEO PRESENTATION
Adjifo virgin initiate dancers at FESTIVAL OF BLACK DEITIES (GODS) AT GLDJI-TOGO
UNIQUE CULTURAL FACES OF FESTIVAL OF BLACK DEITIES (GODS) AT ANEHO-TOGO
BLEKETE D'AKUMAPE au festival des divinités noires 2011 à ANEHO
BLEKETE D'AKUMAPE au festival des divinités noires 2011 à ANEHO
Mami wata vodoun practitioners at festival des divinités noires 2011 àt ANEHO
Adjifo initiation Dancers
Afro-Brazilians.By Délirante bestiole
BLEKETE D'AKUMAPE au festival des divinités noires 2011 à ANEHO
BLEKETE D'AKUMAPE au festival des divinités noires 2011 à ANEHO
Adjifo initiation dancers
Afro-Brazilian vodoun devotees performing Orixa dance
Kotokoli vodoun devotees cutting his belly with sharp knife but not cutting
Portrait of Mami wata vodoun devotees at Festival of Black Deities ("Festivals Des Divinites Noires")
"Adjifos" of Togo - Glidji - Festival des Divinités noire
Afro-Brazilian vodoun folkloric ballerina troupe from Bahia,Brazil at Aneho.Togo.By Délirante bestiole
Afro-Brazilian vodoun devotee with her face painted for Festival for Black Deities carnival at Lome,Togo.By Délirante bestiole
Egun gun masquerade dancing troupe
Afro-Cuban Voodoo Dancers
Vodoun devotee at Festival for Black Deities carnival at Lome,Togo
Tourists participating in vodoun dance
Afro-Brazilian vodoun devotee old lady in traditional attire.By Délirante bestiole
Vodoun warriors at Festival in Lome. By Délirante bestiole
Adjifo virgin initiate dancers
Afro-Brazilian vodoun Folkloric ballet dancers from Bahia at Aneho Festival
Afro-Brazilian vodoun devotee taking photo at Festival for Black Deities in Aneho. Togo
Afro-Brazilian Vodoun Ballerina Dancer at Festival Of Black Deities at Aneho,Lome-Togo.By Délirante bestiole
Photo credits:noeltadegnon.
Amamere Folk Music & Dance Ensemble-Ghana was in the 2012 edition in Anehor,and we would be performing in 2013,so get in touch so we can add colors to your coming festival: evansinging@gmail.com
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