trust the process

Back Story:
Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna II Guely was scheduled for a first time visit to New Orleans, complete with a welcoming ceremony at Congo Square. Two days before the Kings arrival, I was flying out of NOLA. I tried everything in my power to shift, adjust and rework my schedule in order to attend the ceremony. It wasn’t in the cards. I was SO close to meeting the Supreme Chief of Vodou!

Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna at Congo Square | NOLA

Previous unsuccessful solo attempts + schedule conflicts prevented a highly sought-after visit with the Supreme Vodou Chief in Haiti. In 2014, I finally sat with Ati Max Beauvoir, surrounded with my Dance Tribe in his temple in Mariani.
Insight + Words of wisdom humbly received from his brilliant daughter, Manbo Rachel Beauvoir-Dominique “Sometimes you gotta break the Calabash”
and in exchange danced, dropped libations (Jete Dlo) and sang Priye Ginen with him
- in the temple’s Spirit room.
A dream fulfilled!

Spiritual progression + enhanced academic & professional development was met with urgency! Ati Max followed by Dada. Two movers and shakers, unapologetically teaching the philosophy of Vodou globally, while upholding the sacred rituals in both homelands, Haiti and Benin.

"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.

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!!!

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Signed, Sealed & Delivered by:
Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna II Guely & Queen Mother Manbo Dowoti Desir
Naming Ceremony | Ritual
📷: Shawn Merriman-Roberts
🎥: Yolande Sterling