BENIN: Dah Alligbonon Akpochihala, “It is difficult to make people understand how dangerous this is”

Photo: Godefroy Chabi/IRIN

Sossa Guédéhounguè voodoo worship center in Doutou village 70km west of Cotonou

COTONOU, 9 January 2009 (IRIN) - Efforts to convince voodoo followers to abandon dangerous and deadly practices are sporadic, underfunded and inadequate said voodoo priest and a leader in traditional practices, Dah Alligbonon Akpochihala. He told IRIN he has been trying to change how things are done in the religious rituals he leads, but that overall, people do not realise the danger their traditions pose.

“The main concern is scarification [skin cutting]. Followers are required to do this, but the conditions under which they do it are undesirable. The instruments used in convents for scarification are not sterilised.

“This is a problem that remains unsolved after so many years. The same cutting tool is used by many who do not even care [to share]. It is difficult to make people understand how dangerous this is.

“Contrary to what you have heard, there are not sanctioned sexual relations in the convent. The cases of contamination through sex are apart [from voodoo rites]. It is formally forbidden, even if the convent leader dares to do it, the leader would face opposition from everyone. If you see a pregnant woman in the convent, she arrived already pregnant.

“I took the initiative to go to the different convents to make people aware… But there are not many of us doing this and I cannot visit all the convents – my efforts are limited. I tell people that if they are not in good health, they cannot sacrifice themselves for the voodoo rites. I explain that if they contract AIDS, they will not be able to do anything. I try to show them the ravages of the disease to awaken their conscience.

“Sometimes they do not want to hear this message, proof that an awakened conscience is not automatic and there is much work to be done. And not just anybody can get into the convents to do it.”

See IRIN article on HIV risks and voodoo rites here.

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