Kokou (orisha)
In the Yoruba religion of Benin, a Kokou is one of the most highly feared warrior Undergods.[1] It is the most violent and powerful of the Yoruba spirits and the voodoo rituals surrounding it involves its followers to fall into a deep trance with rapidly beating drums. Once possessed by the spirit, the body in which the Kokou inhabits may remain in a trance all day and in due course demonstrate a thirst for blood with glass bottles and knives, swallow sharp objects or repeatedly beat its head against the wall until it bleeds profusively, revealing a high tolerance to pain.[1]
One who fails to respect the Kokou during a ceremonial trance may have a sacred calabash placed on his head until it becomes excessively heavy.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 Butler 2006, p. 32.
Bibliography
- Butler, Stuart (2006), Benin, Guilford, Connecticut: Bradt Travel Guides, The Globe Pequot Press
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