Pythons

Pythons are sacred and deified snakes that are worshiped according to specific rituals in many parts of Africa. Called Dangbé in Fongbe, the language of the Fon people of the Benin Republic, [Page 552][Page 553]pythons are primary divinities. Indeed, in the Republic of Benin, the Vodun pantheon is generally classified into three main groups: the Primary Divinities, the Secondary Divinities, and the Tertiary Divinities, the latter group including clan spirits, local divinities, and personal gods. In the Fon cosmology, the Dangbé has opened up the eyes of the universe for the creation of human beings and is, hence, a god of creation and protector of humanity. Although pythons are harmless to humans, their occasional biting is considered a good omen or harbinger of bliss, as ...