The Sacred Jar

The Sacred « Zingbin » Jar

The jar found here is called « Zingbin ». Crafted from clay, this sacred jar is more than 200 years old.

Every seven years, it is turned back to its upright position during a grand purification ceremony. This ceremony gathers the high priests and dignitaries of the city of Ouidah, cradle of Vodoun in Benin, which counts 447 Vodoun temples.

On this occasion, the temple's priestess — known here as « Dekahinto », bearer of the chief's calabash — chooses 41 young virgin girls. Their task : to draw, from a sacred spring located a few kilometers from the temple, the water the priests will use to prepare a purification infusion. This sacred water is mixed with sacred and liturgical leaves such as hyssop, basil and other multi-virtue leaves — it is with this water that the entire city is purified.

Today, as the world changes and virginity — though an African value — becomes increasingly rare, priests more often choose menopausal women in place of virgin girls, always mindful of preserving the purity of the ceremony.