What does a Zangbeto do?
What does a Zangbeto do?
Zangbeto are the traditional voodoo guardians of the night among the Ogu or Egun people of Benin, Togo and Nigeria. Originally created to scare the enemy away, Zangbeto will wander the streets to detect thieves and witches, and to protect law and order. …
Where is Benin?
West Africa
Benin is located in West Africa and covers a land area Of 112,622 Sq. km. and constitutes a long stretch of hand perpendicular to the Coast of the Gulf of Guinea.
How does a Zangbeto move?
Zangbetos are cone-shaped haystacks about 1.80 m (6 ft) in height. During the ceremony, they turn like dervishes, spinning faster and faster across the village square while being prevented by their “handlers” from crashing into villagers and by-standers. Eventually they come to a standstill.
What is African masquerade?
Masquerades are multimedia events that often include not one but several masked dancers embodying various spirits. For example, annual Egungun masquerades bring the ancestors back to town dressed in sumptuous cloths.
Where is the home of voodoo?
Benin: the West African country famous for being the birthplace of voodoo.
Why do African masquerades chase you?
As a passerby, resident or traveller, you may encounter masquerades who would accost you with their whips and canes, trying to get a rise out of you. This is the whole bane of the encounter because if you show fear, they will take advantage of that to harass you into doing what they want.
Who are the Zangbeto and what do they do?
Description. Zangbeto are a costume that resembles a haystack. They are able to fall into a trance which, according to tradition, enables their bodies to be inhabited by spirits who possess special knowledge of the actions of people. However Yoruba legend tells that there are no humans under the costume, only spirits of the night. Traditionally,…
Who are the Zangbeto in the Yoruba religion?
Zangbeto are the traditional Vodun guardians of the night in the Yoruba religion of Danxome, which are known as the “Nightwatchmen”. They are highly revered and act as an unofficial police force patrolling the streets, watching over people and tracking down criminals and presenting them to the community to punish.
Who are the Zangbetos in Benin, Benin?
Traditionally, the Zangbetos were the policemen of Benin and were the main guardians of law in the country before the official law establishment.
Where does the Zangbeto festival take place in Nigeria?
Elaborate festivals built around the Zangbeto are held regularly in different Ogu communities across West Africa. The popular ones are those that hold in Porto-Novo, Benin Republic and in Ajido, Lagos, Nigeria. These festivals comprise colourful displays, electrifying performances and magic.