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Zangbeto, the traditional voodoo dance in Benin

Zangbeto is the traditional voodoo guardians of the night in Benin, Togo, and Nigeria, which are known as the “Nightwatchmen". The Zangbeto mask is very tall and covered with colored straw. It represents wild non-human spirits (the forces of nature and of the night that inhabited the earth before human beings). Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise to announce his arrival. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls like a snake. This performance guarantees protection against thieves and malicious people. All images are available for royalty-free commercial or editorial licensing. Please check the “Licensing” page or contact me: pavel.gospodinov@me.com!
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  • Zangbeto, the traditional voodoo guardians, coming out in the darkness of the night, Grandpopo, Benin

    Zangbeto, the traditional voodoo guardians, coming out in the darkness of the night, Grandpopo, Benin

    Grandpopo, Benin; 08 November 2019; Zangbeto are the traditional voodoo guardians of the night in Benin, Togo and Nigeria, which are known as the “Nightwatchmen". The Zangbeto mask is very tall and covered with coloured straw. It represents wild non human spirits (the forces of nature and of the night that inhabited the earth before human beings). Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise to announce his arrival. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls like a snake. This  performance guarantees protection against thieves and malicious people.

  • Local people from Grandpopo, Benin participating in the Zangbeto, the traditional voodoo guardians dance

    Local people from Grandpopo, Benin participating in the Zangbeto, the traditional voodoo guardians dance

    Grandpopo, Benin; 08 November 2019; Zangbeto are the traditional voodoo guardians of the night in Benin, Togo and Nigeria, which are known as the “Nightwatchmen". The Zangbeto mask is very tall and covered with coloured straw. It represents wild non human spirits (the forces of nature and of the night that inhabited the earth before human beings). Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise to announce his arrival. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls like a snake. This  performance guarantees protection against thieves and malicious people.

  • Locals waiting the beginning of the Zangbeto, the traditional voodoo dance, Grandpopo, Benin

    Locals waiting the beginning of the Zangbeto, the traditional voodoo dance, Grandpopo, Benin

    Grandpopo, Benin; 08 November 2019; Zangbeto are the traditional voodoo guardians of the night in Benin, Togo and Nigeria, which are known as the “Nightwatchmen". The Zangbeto mask is very tall and covered with coloured straw. It represents wild non human spirits (the forces of nature and of the night that inhabited the earth before human beings). Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise to announce his arrival. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls like a snake. This  performance guarantees protection against thieves and malicious people.

  • Zangbeto, the traditional voodoo guardians, coming out in the darkness of the night, Grandpopo, Benin

    Zangbeto, the traditional voodoo guardians, coming out in the darkness of the night, Grandpopo, Benin

    Grandpopo, Benin; 08 November 2019; Zangbeto are the traditional voodoo guardians of the night in Benin, Togo and Nigeria, which are known as the “Nightwatchmen". The Zangbeto mask is very tall and covered with coloured straw. It represents wild non human spirits (the forces of nature and of the night that inhabited the earth before human beings). Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise to announce his arrival. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls like a snake. This  performance guarantees protection against thieves and malicious people.

  • Local people from Grandpopo, Benin participating in the Zangbeto, the traditional voodoo guardians dance

    Local people from Grandpopo, Benin participating in the Zangbeto, the traditional voodoo guardians dance

    Grandpopo, Benin; 08 November 2019; Zangbeto are the traditional voodoo guardians of the night in Benin, Togo and Nigeria, which are known as the “Nightwatchmen". The Zangbeto mask is very tall and covered with coloured straw. It represents wild non human spirits (the forces of nature and of the night that inhabited the earth before human beings). Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise to announce his arrival. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls like a snake. This  performance guarantees protection against thieves and malicious people.

  • Zangbeto, the traditional voodoo guardians, coming out in the darkness of the night, Grandpopo, Benin

    Zangbeto, the traditional voodoo guardians, coming out in the darkness of the night, Grandpopo, Benin

    Grandpopo, Benin; 08 November 2019; Zangbeto are the traditional voodoo guardians of the night in Benin, Togo and Nigeria, which are known as the “Nightwatchmen". The Zangbeto mask is very tall and covered with coloured straw. It represents wild non human spirits (the forces of nature and of the night that inhabited the earth before human beings). Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise to announce his arrival. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls like a snake. This  performance guarantees protection against thieves and malicious people.

  • Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    The village of Grand Popo, Benin, Africa; November 8, 2019; People are devoted to the worship of  Zangbeto, traditional voodoo guardians of the night in the Ogu or Egun religion of Benin, Togo and Nigeria which are known as the night watchmen. Zangbeto are a costume that resembles a haystack. Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise with his deep and guttural voice. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls.

  • Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    The village of Grand Popo, Benin, Africa; November 8, 2019; People are devoted to the worship of  Zangbeto, traditional voodoo guardians of the night in the Ogu or Egun religion of Benin, Togo and Nigeria which are known as the night watchmen. Zangbeto are a costume that resembles a haystack. Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise with his deep and guttural voice. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls.

  • Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    The village of Grand Popo, Benin, Africa; November 8, 2019; People are devoted to the worship of  Zangbeto, traditional voodoo guardians of the night in the Ogu or Egun religion of Benin, Togo and Nigeria which are known as the night watchmen. Zangbeto are a costume that resembles a haystack. Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise with his deep and guttural voice. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls.

  • Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    The village of Grand Popo, Benin, Africa; November 8, 2019; People are devoted to the worship of  Zangbeto, traditional voodoo guardians of the night in the Ogu or Egun religion of Benin, Togo and Nigeria which are known as the night watchmen. Zangbeto are a costume that resembles a haystack. Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise with his deep and guttural voice. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls.

  • Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    The village of Grand Popo, Benin, Africa; November 8, 2019; People are devoted to the worship of  Zangbeto, traditional voodoo guardians of the night in the Ogu or Egun religion of Benin, Togo and Nigeria which are known as the night watchmen. Zangbeto are a costume that resembles a haystack. Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise with his deep and guttural voice. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls.

  • Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    The village of Grand Popo, Benin, Africa; November 8, 2019; People are devoted to the worship of  Zangbeto, traditional voodoo guardians of the night in the Ogu or Egun religion of Benin, Togo and Nigeria which are known as the night watchmen. Zangbeto are a costume that resembles a haystack. Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise with his deep and guttural voice. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls.

  • Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    The village of Grand Popo, Benin, Africa; November 8, 2019; People are devoted to the worship of  Zangbeto, traditional voodoo guardians of the night in the Ogu or Egun religion of Benin, Togo and Nigeria which are known as the night watchmen. Zangbeto are a costume that resembles a haystack. Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise with his deep and guttural voice. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls.

  • Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    The village of Grand Popo, Benin, Africa; November 8, 2019; People are devoted to the worship of  Zangbeto, traditional voodoo guardians of the night in the Ogu or Egun religion of Benin, Togo and Nigeria which are known as the night watchmen. Zangbeto are a costume that resembles a haystack. Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise with his deep and guttural voice. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls.

  • Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    The village of Grand Popo, Benin, Africa; November 8, 2019; People are devoted to the worship of  Zangbeto, traditional voodoo guardians of the night in the Ogu or Egun religion of Benin, Togo and Nigeria which are known as the night watchmen. Zangbeto are a costume that resembles a haystack. Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise with his deep and guttural voice. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls.

  • Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin

    The village of Grand Popo, Benin, Africa; November 8, 2019; People are devoted to the worship of  Zangbeto, traditional voodoo guardians of the night in the Ogu or Egun religion of Benin, Togo and Nigeria which are known as the night watchmen. Zangbeto are a costume that resembles a haystack. Zangbeto comes out in the darkness of the night making an eerie humming noise with his deep and guttural voice. He dances by spinning around fast, he jumps high and then crawls.

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    Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin
    Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin
    Villagers perform whirling Zangbeto voodoo ritual in the night with music and dances in the village of Grand Popo, Benin