2007-11-20, Eating Dog - 古老神秘的祭狗仪式（在线收听） |
| In northern Benin, humans revere dogs for their loyalty and bravery. But here dogs also figure in an unusual ritual. Every 4 years, the Bessarabia people initiate boys into manhood. The process, a series of ceremonies including circumcision, hinges on a sacrifice to honor their ancestors and bolster their sons’ courage. The Bessarabia kill and eat a dog. This year Ender Atian will lead the ritual. The Bessarabia love dogs, especially dogs with brave heart and loyal spirit, the very quality people here hope to absorb when they eat the animals. “The Suesell asks you to kill a dog so that the boys won’t run away in fear during the circumcision.” “We don’t give names to the other animals. But we give a name to the dog because he is our companion.” This dog has a name “Patience”. For 4 years, Patience has had a good life with his owner Sago. But Sago has always awaited the day of reckoning. “I follow the tradition. What our ancestors did is what I do. When we bought Patience, we knew that we will kill him for the fetish.” Beneath the spreading baobab tree stands the symbol of ancestral spirit: the fetish. Before villagers can eat their share of dog, they must feed the spirit with sacrifices. Atian’s father will begin the ceremony. He appeases the spirit with miller beer and chicken blood. The bird died quickly. But Patience must live up to his name. Ritual requires he be killed with the club. In some sacrifices, suffering is what makes that holy. Many in the village know and like Patience. They will miss him. “I’m sad to kill the dog, but it is my ancestors who started the tradition.” Atian offers the dog’s blood to the spirits. Out of respect, he leaves a piece of the tail. Boys awaiting circumcision dance, readying themselves to eat the magic meat they believe to awaken the spirits of their ancestors. Before an audience of village elders, Atian bows the preparation ritual. To the spirits Atian offers roasted meat. The rest he boils. Everyone in the village will want a taste of the sacrificial meat. “When you eat the dog, you get good health. So everyone wants to take a little bit.” Once the elders have eaten, younger villagers take their turn. They hope the dog’s meat will give them the courage to endure circumcision. And now that the initiation rite has begun, the village's dogs can rest easy, at least for another 4 years when the next ritual occurs. |
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