Local stories from Africa...
Benin World Voodoo Festival
On January 10th in Ouidah, Benin (West Africa), the World Voodoo Festival takes place.
This is the most important gathering and public exposure of the Voodoo religion. It is a unique occasion to approach Voodoo, a religion whose practices are generally secret otherwise.
A grand feast takes place at the beach. Several traditional dancers exhibit themselves in front of of tribal kings and courts coming from several West African countries. Sacrifices are made on the shore, that are related to the slave trade that took place from this coast to the Americas from 1500 until mid 1800.
During the nights preceding the Voodoo festival, electricity is cut in Ouidah during the night. In the night, the Woros dance naked in the streets of the town, playing music with traditional instruments. The Woros are young men initiated to Voodoo. It is forbidden, and not recommended to watch them, particularly for women. However, it is possible to submit oneself to a Voodoo initiation in the days preceding the festival, and to become a Woro.
(From Guido Fioretti,
Maison de La Joie)
Egypt Ta'ameya / felafel
Ta'ameya or felafel is a traditional Egyptian breakfast that takes rather a lot of time to prepare.
Fava beans must be soaked for a day or two and then ground to a paste with onions, garlic and herbs. This dough is then mixed with an egg and some baking soda and then fried in oil.
Most villages have one or two women who are willing to do all of this, allowing others to buy from them. It often seems that the job rotates among the households in an area, giving various families the chance to earn cash while relieving others of the labour.
The wonderful smell of the frying patties is enough to draw you in!
(From Maryanne Stroud Gabbani,
Al Sorat Farm)
Uganda Dance drama stories
The performance of dance drama stories, especially by women's groups, is very popular in Uganda. They combine age-old entertainment with modern social and educational messages.
With minimal props and playing musical instruments like drums, lute, and guitar, women act out parts of all ages and sexes - busty male characters dressed in suits and caps, women in long skirts, difficult children and grandparents provoke howls of laughter and attentive silences.
The popular custom of dance drama has been widely adopted for community development, especially in rural areas. Negotiating marriage difficulties and family conflicts, Aids, malaria and agricultural innovation are all common topics. Of course it’s fun to see your neighbour or aunt appear as a forlorn lover or comic official. Older women bring traditional songs and cultural forms to younger audiences, while contemporary dilemmas face older people with the realities of younger people’s lives.
The flasks in the main photo indicate refreshments for special guests – part of the ubiquitous hospitality in Ankole. Thanks to Christopher and Jennipher Byanyima for help with this story.
(From Prue Chamberlayne,
Kanaama Interactive)
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