Priestess Del Vudu

Very rare voodoo wing representing a priestess, with arms stretched out in full action. On their sides are what look like two animals with small straight horns, which could also represent the ears, in both cases of difficult interpretation. On their heads is the phon ritual iron and cauries on their necks, which also form the eyes of the priestess. A round mirror occupies his chest. The mirror can serve to reject the forces of evil, but it can also steal the soul from the intruder who looks at it, as it is reflected in it. Another mirror, lost, appeared in the middle of the lower part. The hollows of this lower part were intended to keep relics of the ancestors. The containers on the table serve to mix their magic products. In fact, these are three goiters who have received a multitude of libations. Goiters are primarily intended for personal or community protection against acts of sorcery that could lead to epidemics, wars, malnutrition or disease. They were also used to cause damage to enemies or to obtain healing or personal success. Made secretly by their owner or the sorcerer they are composed of magical elements only by them known. Usually bones, ritual irons, cauris, clay, vegetable fibers, feathers, nails, cords, animal claws, bleeding, beads, seeds and all kinds of magical substances are used, as they are destined for one or another purpose, and even locks because the padlock serves to open or close the hidden forces.

The best known are those of the Fon (Benin), from whose language comes the word “bocio” meaning “cadaver”. These objects do not incarnate the gods but they work with their energy and with that of the spirits so they are employed in the practices of voodoo to protect against evil, disease, witchcraft or to obtain wealth or success. They are also the object of worship in family altars and receive offerings and libations.

Patina formed by the use, the libations and that accuses the passage of time.