Back to the Root with Gerard Richard Agbayanou
Beninese historian offers rare peak into Benin's Vodun culture with his new online course.
If you’ve watched Gerard Richard Agbayanou’s YouTube channel Path to the Root, you know that he’s an invaluable resource for Diasporic Africans who are actively looking to learn more about Vodun culture.
He is also one of the West African spiritualists who were kind enough to speak to me while I was working on my book, Da Homey in Modern Dahomey.
Now, Gerard is offering his own comprehensive online coursework on Benin’s Vodun tradition from the perspective of a man who is from Benin, lives in Benin, lives the tradition, and has strong ties to the country’s rich and vibrant spiritual community.
Gerard took some time out of his busy schedule to chop it up with the Indivisible College about his 10-hour course from November 19th - December 17th. Class will be in session every Sunday within that period from 1-3pm EST.
What is Vodun spirituality and what is your personal relationship to it?
Vodun spirituality is the West African people’s understanding of mother nature, their communion with the universe, and the mighty Creator. Vodun spirituality is such a complex practice that embodies a lot of science and wisdom.
I was born and raised in Vodun. I am an initiate of Fa, of Egungun, Zangbeto, and have access to the highest convents but I am not a priest though I am responsible for my family’s Sakpata temple and have my own Dan temple. This might sound strange, but understanding how Vodun is authentically practiced in Danxomè makes the points clearer.
What compels you to offer your coursework at this time?
The proliferation of Vodun priests in both the motherland and throughout the diaspora renders the path to the root a labyrinth. A lot of cautiousness is required now when you decide to reconnect to the root. But when you understand the culture, things become much easier.
This course aims at offering that security. I want people to have a better understanding of the practice so as to avoid mistakes that could lead them to a waste of money, time, and energy.
Who should seriously consider signing up for your course?
This course is important to anyone willing to reconnect to their African ancestry, those who have been practicing the culture in one way or another but still remain confused about how things really work. It is also advised to any seeker who wants to deepen their knowledge about West African Spirituality and the history of the people of Danxomè.
A lot of people in the African Diaspora are familiar with aspects of Haitian and Louisiana Vodou but they do not know much about the culture in Benin, West Africa. What are some fundamental differences and similarities between the three expressions in Louisiana, Haiti, and Benin?
I don't personally know much about Louisiana, but for us, people of Danxomè, Haiti is known as the second Danxomè. The similarities are high but I personally think it is partial because you can connect different Haitian voodoo practices to a specific practice here, but you can’t do the reverse. In other words, we are one people but all was not exported abroad. Haiti’s connection to Vodun is historical and related to the slave trade.
Does Vodun culture have historical relationships with regions outside of West Africa that may surprise new students?
West African Vodun is said to be from Kemet. This is part of the course.
What are your thoughts on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Is it a threat to Vodun culture?
Modernism and tradition seem to eternally conflict, but to my viewpoint, they complete each other. Artificial intelligence is not a threat to Vodun culture. Vodun embodies more than the new discoveries that science technology bring to humanity. Gambada for exemple functions like IT, however science without consciousness is a danger to our soul.
To learn more about Gerard’s new course download his description in the PDF below.
This is a great concise interview. This course is of grave importance, because our people are so deeply entrenched in Western colonization today that it's maddening. But thanks for sharing this with us. I will definitely check this out.