#dzoka

When I was in Togo, I asked the folks there if I could please go to the Akodessewa Fetish Market!  They just laughed, since to them it’s no big deal and there are these markets everywhere.  Though the folks at the Akodessewa one realized it’s a tourist attraction now and charged a taking photos fee ROFL.  The amount of things you can get there though is amazing :D.  Though most of it would have never made it back to Canada through customs lol.  

I did keep asking if certain things were to make dzokas, and the people there just woulnd’t answer ;).  The prices were also quite high, likely because I’m not from there (and white).  These in the photo were my favorite looking items in the market.  

They also of course had herbs, and pretty much anything you would need for any honouring or work which needed to be done.  Also many of the wooden statues for the Vodous <3 . The market and these items may seem different or amazing to us, but they are just the ways to honor the spirits and the way of life over there.  It is all a thing of beauty, and the people there are the most loving and peaceful I have ever met.  Because we are not used to how these things look and that culture, many folks from the West glorify the practices and sacred items.  Or worse, make it all out to be evil, which can’t be further from the truth (in 99% of cases; every path has some darker practitioners).  It’s more about connecting with the natural forces of the earth and area, healing, and spiritual connection.

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