In the old days there were 5 religious ceremonies each year. The ceremonies always officially start on Thursday which was a scared day in Dahomey and ended on Friday. It occurs in a simple, covered area with dirt floor and benches we call the tent.
Today we will describe the Easter ceremony or Hwetanu.
The Easter ceremony occurs on the first Thursday after Lent and is a ceremony for the household. Consequently, it was obligatory for each member of the home to make a financial donation according to each of his/her means. Apparently one can contribute as little as 6 cents and no distinction is made between small or large donations.
Like other ceremonies, it starts on the Wednesday night around 9 pm with a vigil called Drozan. A small offering of cornmeal, olive oil and water is made to prevent evil from ruining the upcoming rites. Then 3 songs called Yavalu to all the gods followed by regular songs. There are usually no drums, just the chac chacs and iron (gan).
Some dancers may have a brief possession. The vigil is quite a happy occasion with preparations for the following day and continues until 4 or 5 on the Thursday morning.
The morning continues with an offering of olive oil, water and rum to Ogu the god of iron and war and the chief intermediary between man and the gods. The hubono salutes to the east and west (mawu and lisa) and prays to Ogu. He then throws 4 halves of the kola nut or obi on the Ogu shrine. If 2 face up and 2 face down then all is good.
Tune in tomorrow for the continuation of Thursday morning.
what is those funny looking decor on the tent,(pink, blue and green paper or cloth) I never remember that.
ReplyDeleteGood observation! I don't remember those mini curtains. We'll need a decorating committee for next year as well.
ReplyDeleteStarting from tomorrow(Thursday) we should start saving our contributions to donate to the Family Reunion.
ReplyDelete