Togo: Influence of "voodoo" or "djakatou" in Togo; relations between practitioners of those religions and Christians in Lomé (January 2003-March 2005)

The official Web site of the Togo tourism board (Office national togolais du tourisme) states that animist beliefs and voodoo are prevalent in Togolese culture, [translation] "despite the proliferation of Christianity and Islam," and that, [translation] "the role of fetishers and diviners is still fairly significant" (Togo n.d.). A February 2003 report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) also states that voodoo was used as a "threat" to prevent journalists from covering any kind of discussion of security force activities (UNHCR Feb. 2003).

Little information on relations between voodoos and Christians could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. International Religious Freedom Report 2004 states that practitioners of different religions in Togo enjoy a "generally amicable relationship" (15 Sept. 2004, sect. III) and that, "[m]any converts to the more widespread faiths continue to perform rituals that originated in traditional indigenous religions" (International Religious Freedom Report 2004 15 Sept. 2004, sect. I).

In correspondence sent to the Research Directorate on 31 March 2005, a member of the Canadian Togolese Community (CTC) defined djakatou or "chakatou" as [translation] "a process of spiritual cleansing." When asked about the relationship between practitioners of that religion and Christians, the source replied, [translation] "that it would be difficult to try to find common ground between those practitioners and Christians especially because each group is firmly rooted in its own belief system. Followers of the voodoo and/or chakatou religion do not hesitate to harm Christians or others, but, generally, they have no reason to resort to such actions." No corroborating information could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

No specific information on Christians living in Lomé could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

International Religious Freedom Report 2004. 15 September 2004. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. [Accessed 24 Mar. 2005]

Member of the Canadian Togolese Community (CTC). 31 March 2005. Correspondence.

Togo. n.d. Office national du tourisme. "Animisme et vaudou." [Accessed 24 Mar. 2005]

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Emergency and Security Service. February 2003. Andrew Manley. Togo: After Eyadéma? [Accessed 24 Mar. 2005]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Attempts to contact four oral sources were unsuccessful within the time constraints.

Publications: Africa Confidential, Africa Research Bulletin.

Internet sites, including: Abyz News Links, Adherents.com, AllAfrica, Amnesty International (AI), BBC, CIA World Factbook, Danish immigration service, European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent, Radio France internationale (RFI), United Kingdom – Immigration and and Nationality Directorate (IND), World News Connection (WNC)