Tago, Lome: Black magic, or voodoo, is one of the oldest practices in the world. It is a weird and dangerous art which differs from place to place and from time to time. Tago, a small country in Africa houses the Akodessawa Voodoo Market, a place that may be considered heaven for Voodoo and Black Magic practitioners.
Some people look at it as a religious thing, meanwhile others do not seem to believe in its authenticity.
Non-believers of Black Magic and Voodoo see the practice as the worship of the Devil and Dark Forces. While many in the world associate this practice with evil, if one is to reach out to true believers, they may find positive roots in Black Magic.
Many people across the globe vehemently deny the presence of it and say that the people who practice black magic are mentally retard and need medical treatment or therapy.
While other schools of thought believe that if there is God, then one cannot deny the devil’s existence, and people should have a fear of such things.
Normally, when someone hears about voodoo or black magic, their mind instantly picturises a voodoo doll with some needles pierced in it. However, the concept of black magic is much deeper.
Curious enthusiasts travelling through Africa have found a place where weird things are traded openly. The weird place is situated in the Lome region of Tago, a small country in the western part of Africa.
The name of the market is Akodessawa Voodoo Market. The name comes from the name of the district itself. The market is called “Marché des Fetiches” in their local language. The Akodassewa district of Togo’s capital, Lome. One can take a taxi or a motorcycle to reach the market.
At the market, one can buy various things to practice black magic, like a flea market for black magic practitioners. Black magic is said to be an inherent part of West African culture.
Some travellers have shared their experiences saying weird things are present in various varieties; they also stated that the locals or people from neighbouring countries and states visit there and buy weird things, like they are buying crockery for their kitchen.
Many travellers have recorded the horrific scenes of the market in videos. The sellers and buyers don’t even hide it cause they treat it as a normal market.
Intriguingly, it is said that one has to pay an entrance fee to enter the market. When asked, the sellers said that they want only serious buyers on the premises.
Apart from the entrance fee, travellers have to pay an extra amount of approximately 2000 CFA if one wants to take the camera in the market. In addition, a person will stay with the travellers who will act as a guide, and it is mandatory to take a guide if one is entering with a camera.
Inside, people have seen horrible things, which include months of heads of animals like snakes, bats, monkeys, cats and birds.
While sellers claim that the heads are of animals who have died due to natural causes, the experts have said that it’s not true and the heads are chopped with a special ritual. The experts also mentioned that black magic only gets successful when the heads are chopped following special rituals.
The experts also revealed that according to the people who practice black magic, cutting an animal’s head is not considered a cruel act. This is because it is offered as a sacrifice gift to the devil they worship. It is said that different animal head is used for various purposes.
The travellers mentioned that the market has approximately 16 to 20 stalls. Almost all the sellers hail from Benin, considered the birthplace of black magic. One can buy some things as a keepsake too.
Behind the shops, one can find little huts where the priests who practice black magic operate, and one can have a session with the priest.