Chasing the Spirit. Gorovodu in Southern Togo.

Format:

Video

Contributor:

Bloomsbury Press.

Language:

English

Ewe

French

Subjects (All):

Art--Africa.

Art.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (1 video file)

Distribution:

London: Bloomsbury Video. Bloomsbury Publishing. 2022.

Other Title:

Bloomsbury Video Library.

Place of Publication:

Culture Realm Film (Eric J Montgomery). 1976.

Biography/History:

Ewe Gorovodu adepts in Southern Ghana, Togo and Benin. Special credits to Bokonosofo Bisi and Koffi Kodjopui. Producer: Christian Vannier; Director: Eric J. Montgomery; Music by Eric Montgomery and Gbedala village drummer .

Summary:

<i>Chasing the Spirit: Gorovodu in Southern Togo</i> is an ethnographic film dedicated to the rituals and ceremonies of Gorovodu religion in West Africa. Gorovodu is a medicine religion practiced by a many Ewe peoples in Ghana and Togo that co-exists with other Vodu groups, Christianity, and Islam. The film is set in Gbedala, a semi-rural seaside village near the capital city of Lome. Here, ritual and religion are embedded in everyday life as people struggle with poverty and marginalization. After exploring life in the village, the head priest of the community is introduced and serves as our guide throughout the film. Outlining the Gorovodu pantheon of spirits at the village shrine, the film then turns to a vodu ceremony held to welcome and thank the gods. Throughout the ceremony, important elements of Gorovodu life are laid bare as participants engage in possession-trance and commune with the spirits. Afterwards, the head priest holds a Salah ceremony to address the immoralities plaguing the village. Borrowing heavily from Islam in dress and prayer, Salah's place in Gorovodu truly lays bare the complexity and inclusiveness of African religion and life. .

Participant:

Eric Montgomery.

Credits:

Director, Eric Montgomery ; producer, Christian Vannier.

ISBN:

9781350911567

OCLC:

1356503474

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.