Zangbeto: In African Voodoo culture, the Zangbeto dance is dedicated to the night watchmen, in which a tent-like structure is activated after special chanting, and it dances continuously.

Zangbeto Africa Dance: Every country in the world has its own story and history, which makes it special for some reason. Africa is special in many ways, and it also holds the status of the origin of human evolution, because the foundation of human civilization was laid in Africa by the Homo sapiens species.

There are 54 countries in Africa, 49 of which are landlocked and 5 are island-based. In this article, we'll tell you about the fascinating and mysterious dances performed in various African countries, which may leave you stunned.

Zangbeto, the mysterious dance of Africa

The Zangbeto dance is performed in parts of Africa. You may have heard the term for the first time, but the mystery behind it may surprise you. Zangbeto literally means "night watchman" or "night people."

They are seen as special protectors within Voodoo communities. When we hear the word Voodoo, we often associate it with witchcraft or the occult, but that's not the case at all.

Actually, Voodoo is an African religion which is mainly believed in by the people living in West African countries and especially in Ghana, Nigeria and Benin.

Origin of the Jangbetso Dance

The African Zangbeto dance is said to have originated in the coastal areas of Ghana, Togo, and Benin. The original purpose of the Zangbeto dance was to protect these protected coastal areas from external invasions and attacks.

The African Zangbeto dance is believed to ward off evil spirits through its dance. Today, the African Zangbeto dance is only seen during major Zangbeto festivals across the country.

Over time, the Zangbeto dance has become a practice in Africa, often associated with major festivals. However, the African Zangbeto dance doesn't simply reveal what lies within this tent-like structure. The structure is completely empty. If it is empty, how can the dance serve any purpose?

According to Voodoo practitioners, the Zangbeto dance is dedicated to the night watchmen, and the dancing spirits are also watchmen. They are activated with special incantations, which require an experienced practitioner.

The name Zangbeto costume comes from the words jan, meaning night, and gbeto, meaning hunter. Zangbeto is the home of the night hunter, which appears as a mobile home during the dance. This sacred costume is made from palm leaves, grass, and raffia.

During the African Zangbeto dance, this distinctive costume is worn by the spirits of the night and even inhabits it. Sometimes, the spirits also demand costumes made of bamboo and banana threads, which may indicate a bad omen or an angry spirit.

It is said that if a spirit wears a costume and performs an African mystical dance, it can symbolize destruction, and in Voodoo culture, it is called a dark spirit.

4 types of African zangbeto

African Zangbeto is divided into 4 types, the first being Jaholu, the second being Ataho, the third being Oho Yin-Yin Ataho, the fourth being Ohosi, and the last being Ohosi.

The leader of the African Zangbeto dance is the Jaholu. He is usually the elder of the two. He appears during the Zangbeto Festival, which occurs once every three years. According to legend, the spirit of the Jaholu lives deep in the sea, away from the reach of ordinary people.

The spirit of Ataho is the most famous and commonly seen at the Zangbeto festival. Ataho's African Zangbeto dance is quite captivating to watch. Ataho is known for his dance skills and mysterious magic tricks.

One of Ataho's most magical tricks is that even if the Zangbeto costume containing Ataho's spirit is burned, it will continue to dance until it is reduced to ashes. And if another Zangbeto costume is placed on top of the ashes, it will instantly transform into a living Zangbeto.

The Oho Yin-Yin Ataho is a little less complicated in terms of costume, but this spirit displays some excellent dance skills when performing the African Zangbeto dance. They are more agile, nimble, and acrobatic when dancing.

Oho Yin-Yin Ataho is considered a symbol of youth due to its swiftness, agility, and unfussy nature. This spirit not only possesses strength, agility, and power, but can also impart these qualities to society.

The Ohosi spirit is also considered the "GOAT" because it is the most difficult of the African zangueto to control. This spirit possesses all the qualities of a warrior, is uncontrollable, and has a very stubborn demeanor.

The Ohosi spirit symbolizes strength, bravery, and fortitude. During the African Zangbeto dance, the Ohosi costume is adorned with worm braids and small jewelry.