Vodoun Divination System. |
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"You will get there when you are meant to.
Not one minute sooner.
You are meant to, so relax, breath, and be patient."
I watched Dada’s visit to NOLA via social media. Hundreds of people were in attendance: journalists, dancers, drummers, youth, teens, elders, spiritualists, city officials... happy to witness the enthusiasm for the King, but was overly stimulated with the amount of chaos and energy felt through the screen. I knew. I wasn’t meant to meet him in NOLA. I spoke out loud, with conviction:
“I will meet Dada when the time is right. On BENIN’S soil.”
"In the company of his Spirits, on his land."
A year later, my words manifested. I recently walked on His Majesty
Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna II Guely’s land.
In BENIN.
Saluted his ancestors.
Sat on the mat.
Fa Divination.
Ritual in the temples shrine room.
Offered sacrifices.
ReNAMED. ReCLAIMED. ReBORN. ReJOICED in dance.
Cause when the King asks you to dance, you betta get to steppin’!
Da/Dan/DANBALA, the divinity and energy that flows through this vessel, greeted the drums and danced Yanvalou with a passion and conviction unlike any previous performance, ritual or ceremony.
“I will meet Dada when the time is right. On BENIN’S soil.”
"In the company of his Spirits, on his land."
A year later, my words manifested. I recently walked on His Majesty
Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna II Guely’s land.
In BENIN.
Saluted his ancestors.
Sat on the mat.
Fa Divination.
Ritual in the temples shrine room.
Offered sacrifices.
ReNAMED. ReCLAIMED. ReBORN. ReJOICED in dance.
Cause when the King asks you to dance, you betta get to steppin’!
Da/Dan/DANBALA, the divinity and energy that flows through this vessel, greeted the drums and danced Yanvalou with a passion and conviction unlike any previous performance, ritual or ceremony.
Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna in Ouidah, Benin | August 2019
My lesson?
TRUST the process.
TRUST in the power of your words.
TRUST when the time is right, it WILL happen.
TRUST that Spirit will hold, cover and guide you.
TRUST!!!
Signed, Sealed & Delivered by:
Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna II Guely & Queen Mother Manbo Dowoti Desir
Naming Ceremony | Ritual
📷: Shawn Merriman-Roberts
🎥: Yolande Sterling
Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna II Guely & Queen Mother Manbo Dowoti Desir
Naming Ceremony | Ritual
📷: Shawn Merriman-Roberts
🎥: Yolande Sterling
Dancing feet planted firmly on the compounds soil
Gracefully gliding through space
Secular to ceremonial
Undulations, Ripples, Accentuated Spines
Heads covered in White
Priestesses
Honoring spirit through DANCE- a crucial role in the African way of life.
An introduction, welcoming, and salutation to the Chief of the compound.
It is true! We each have a twin in Africa. The priestess in the center (photos forthcoming) has a striking resemblance to Taraji P. Henson! You know those eyes!
The pronounced cheekbones, and she had the nerve to have on lashes, okay?
The swag and slayage is here in these temples too!
Yass, Queen(s) come through!
If you’ve taken a Haitian dance class, you will feel this!
THIS is the ROOT.
The Source.
Continuously inspired by my Beninese people. This country, the rituals, the reverence for the divinities, the knowledge and information that I’m learning by watching. Receiving by participation. Actively seeking, engaging, connecting.
Vodou is open, it’s free.
It’s accepted.
It is...
It is true! We each have a twin in Africa. The priestess in the center (photos forthcoming) has a striking resemblance to Taraji P. Henson! You know those eyes!
The pronounced cheekbones, and she had the nerve to have on lashes, okay?
The swag and slayage is here in these temples too!
Yass, Queen(s) come through!
If you’ve taken a Haitian dance class, you will feel this!
THIS is the ROOT.
The Source.
Continuously inspired by my Beninese people. This country, the rituals, the reverence for the divinities, the knowledge and information that I’m learning by watching. Receiving by participation. Actively seeking, engaging, connecting.
Vodou is open, it’s free.
It’s accepted.
It is...
Author
Ashade
Dancer. Choreographer. Artistic Director. Singer, Healer. Messenger. Educator. Vodouyizan. Community Servant.
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