THE SACRED FOREST OF KPASSÈ
Go there and contact
Sacred forest of Kpassé with statues representing the local gods, offering a tour to discover many mysteries
The sacred forest of Kpassé has been open to the uninitiated since the Vodun festival (created in 1992). According to the legend, this forest marks the precise location where, in the 14th century, King Kpassè, founder of the city, miraculously disappeared. He would have been transformed into iroko. The forest is sacred precisely because of this tree that embodies the spirit of the king. Because, as the guide will remind you who tells with enthusiasm the history of the forest and the voodoo deities, the king never dies. At the bottom of the forest is a sacred and forbidden space, which protects the entrance to the temple - a sort of Vodun "convent" where young initiates are apprenticed to the old sorcerers. There is no material boundary there, except that of belief. It is strictly forbidden to disobey your guide of course! One does not joke with the vodun... Just follow the path of statues representing the local gods. Thus, since your arrival, you will walk between the metal sculptures of the Dakpogan brothers (native of Porto-Novo), those in concrete of Cyprien Tokoudagba (native of Abomey)... One can deplore the little maintenance of the works which decompose, and of the site in general which becomes a wasteland, although guardian of the cultural and traditional history of Benin. It is in any case a high place of this mysterious cult and deserves a visit to try to pierce its many mysteries.
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Members' reviews on THE SACRED FOREST OF KPASSÈ
C'était dommage, car vraiment les explications permettaient d'approfondir la question du vaudou, avec des représentations symboliques artistiques concrètes.