Some of the animal’s mystical powers are kept secret by the healers, but some are common knowledge; for instance monkeys improve memory, gorillas give strength and chameleons ensure good business skills.

Large bones are sold to locals who believe they will protect their homes from evil spirits. The bigger the bone, the better the protection.

Amongst the market stalls smothered in dried corpses, you can also find healers who are prepared to sort out any issues you have there and then. For a price of course. You enter their tent and clap four times. The healer comes out and takes a look at you to decide which medicines you need. The healer then sends you out to the market to buy the ingredients which you take back to her. She prepares the medicine there and then, cuts you open and applies the mix. And your done.

Here’s a short video clip to get you in the vibe:

[TEST url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvjXBzPtWcs’]

According to visitors, the fact that the place is open air doesn’t quite relieve the stench entirely. Corpses at various stages of decay are strewn all over the place, and those things kick up a bit of a stink.

Whatever you think about voodoo, this place is many local people’s last port of call in desperate times. To us in the West it seems macabre and disturbing, for them it signifies hope, culture, history and real life.

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