TikToker urges Brits to ditch Venice for voodoo village

South Wales Argus

3 days ago

A Tiktok travel influencer is urging Brits to ditch 'crowded' Venice for a dupe water village in Africa - that was the birthplace of voodoo. Barman-turned-travel guide Kieran Brown said he visited Venice 'a long time ago' and did not like the city. (Image: Kennedy News/@kieranbrowntravel) The travel content creator said he was chased in the street by a masked goblin-like figure, which was a man dressed up as a 'Zangbeto', who patrols the streets fighting both crime and unwanted spirits.
Kieren also visited the world's biggest voodoo market, lined with the skulls of various animals, including dogs.
The traveller encountered local witch doctors, who said each skull has different properties and is often prescribed to cure illnesses.
He also faced the Temple of Pythons, a religious sanctuary where locals worship snakes instead of fearing them.
Inside a sealed room, he encountered 60-70 snakes slithering around, while priests 'casually' picked them up.
The tourist was stunned to see the 'chilled' serpents, which are not fed and instead are let out about once a week to eat chickens and mice.
Kieran, from Sidcup, Kent, said: "It was a three-month trip, which cost me around £6,000, I did it all independently, taking local transport, renting random hotels, I didn't go through an agency.
"I went to Venice a long time ago but did really like it, it was too chaotic and expensive. I've travelled so much I like to see more of the undiscovered parts of the world.
"We got a visa but it was only £25. Realistically Venice is a lot nicer but if people want something slightly different and much cheaper this is always a good option, there are no tourists, no cruise ships.
"I had a pizza there, it wasn't as good as Italy but they have lots of little bars. It would be possible to do a pub crawl. It could be a good stag do."
"Why spend hundreds of euros on a gondola ride when you can pay five euros here"
"Benin is quite a small country but there's a lot of interesting things there. I'd recommend it to other people. I don't think it's that easy for British people to fly there but you can go from Paris or Brussels. If you can get a flight there I'd recommend it."
Every year on January 10th the Vodoun (Voodoo) Festival is celebrated across the country and especially in the city of Ouidah, where practitioners gather to honour their spirits with sacrifices, dancing and singing.
The festival begins with the slaughter of a goat to honour the religion's spirits and is followed by dancing, singing and drinking.
Despite experiencing the 'creepiness' of the voodoo market and rituals, Kieran would recommend voodoo tourism to Brits who want to explore that part of the world.
Kieran said: "When we were there we were walking around and there was a man dressed up as a Zangbeto and people were trying to get close to him and he chased people.
"We were walking through a street and he saw us. Because we were the only white people we stood out. It was a man dressed up like a goblin, he had a thick mask on.
"I can't explain it but he was dressed up like a monster, people were running away when it came close.
"People were trying to annoy it by running towards it and eventually it would snap and start chasing you, it seemed to be like a game, everyone was chanting but I couldn't understand what they were saying.
"There is a temple there where they worship pythons, we went inside and there were hundreds of them, slithering around the floor.
"People in the temple put them around their neck and treat them like a sacred animal.
"There was a thick door, the guy opened it, and there were around 60 to 70 pythons. He said they don't hurt humans but I didn't really go close.
"He put them around our neck and they seemed pretty chilled. I didn't feel any energy and I don't believe in that but the people in the town are heavy believers.
"That region of the world in particular, I went to the world's biggest voodoo market in Toga, where you can buy every type of animal skull.
"It was a bit creepy, we were walking and there was every skull you can buy.
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"We spoke to the witch doctor, he explained it's normal in this culture. When I posted that video people were horrified but they could be horrified with some of the things in western culture.
"There were voodoo dolls and spells, he said it is possible to make another person fall in love with you, but I didn't believe it."
Some commenters said they were inspired to visit Benin, while others were underwhelmed by the travel destination.
A commenter said: "Very good point. I will visit."
Another said: "Same but different."
But an unimpressed commenter said: "I'll pass."
Another said: "Venice from Wish."