WEST AFRICA: Slave Wives of the Gods

Source: Women Without Borders, July 20, 2016

Thousands of West African girls as young as four years old are still being offered to the gods, as atonement for some offense committed by a relative. Trokosi, which literally means “slave wives of the gods,” are part of a 300-year tradition in the Upper Volta region that encompasses Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. Until the 18th century, fetish priests accepted livestock as offerings by families who were fearful of retribution by the gods. But then the priests decided a young virgin would be more useful for domestic and sexual purposes.

A slave’s term of service is supposed to last from three to five years, depending on the nature of the sin that is being atoned for. However, most families of trokosi cannot afford the very high redemption price required to buy their daughters back. They also live in real fear of the gods’ displeasure. If a priest dies, the woman becomes the property of his successor. But if the girl dies without her family redeeming her, they must replace her with another virgin. They must also replace her if she runs away. The cycle can continue for generations.

Through the efforts of non-government organizations many shrines have now stopped the practice of trokosi and over 3,000 women have been freed and rehabilitated. In 1998 Ghana passed a law banning the practice. However, thousands of girls still remain in slavery—some some estimate up to 35,000 in the four countries.

» Read full story.

» See also Afghanistan: Sold for a Herd of Cows (Institute for War and Peace Reporting).

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