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 well as vaccination against any harmful snakebite.

Figure. A plaque showing the gateway to the palace of the Oba of Benin. Two soldiers with shields flanked by two pages stand guard. The columns of heads may themselves be plaques, while the python on the roof tiles is a messenger of Olokun, the sea god, protecting the palace of his earthly counterpart, the Oba. Benin, Nigeria, early 17th century.

Source: Werner Forman/Art Resource, New York.

In Fongbe, adept or devout practitioners of the Dangbé Cult are called Dansi or Dangbési (those who are consecrated to the Dangbé divinity), and the High priest of the python-god religion is called Dangbénon (“owner” of Dangbé or High priest of Dangbé). The belief in and worship of pythons is particularly predominant in Ouidah, better called by its original name Gléxwé in the Republic of Benin. Indeed, the Dangbé is the Vodun of the Xwéda or Houéda people of Gléxwé in the Republic of Benin. The Xwéda or Houéda (also called Pedah) people are identified by their symbolic ethnic facial signs, 2×5 (two times five), on their foreheads, temples, cheeks, or chin.

Known as the religious capital of the Benin Republic, Gléxwé or Ouidah is actually the cradle of the Dangbé belief and is often credited as the only place to house the Temple des Pythons Sacrés (the Sacred Python Temple). In the West, pythons make good pets when handled correctly. They are also a lucrative activity in Western countries, in that a python can cost as much as $10,000 if obtained from a reptile breeding center (see further reading below for more information on this topic). Unlike such breeding centers, however, the Sacred Python Temple in Ouidah is primarily a religious place. Every 7 years, the Big Festival for the adepts of Dangbé takes place. Today, the Temple also serves as a center of attraction for tourists visiting Ouidah. Tourists must do a small ritual before entering the temple.

As divinities believed to be human protectors, pythons deserve unconditional respect from all human beings irrespective of their religious affiliations. As such, in the Benin Republic, pythons are not profaned and killed the way other reptiles are. Moreover, if a Dangbési sees a person abusing or killing a python, that person bears severe consequences, ranging from grave illness to insanity. The offender must take prompt measures; if not, he or she may die. Recommended measures include a visit of the transgressor to any Dangbénon to apologize for committing such a sacrilege, a payment of large fines, and accession to rituals of Fla (conjuring) and Wouslasla (cleansing).

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