NLOEWOA NAGBÉ

These are the wishes of the new year: Vodu dze apu (return of the gods to the sea). This traditional ceremony takes place on a Thursday in December. It gathers all the Mina people in Glidji Kpodji, a locality located near Aného. When the crowd is gathered, the Hunon lead the Mina people to the sea for prayers and libations, after which the drums resound to the rhythm of a war dance and the initiates, in a trance, throw themselves into the sea. This ceremony marks the end of the Guen-Mina New Year festivities.