Gànlɔdó Annual Avlekété Festival
Today, we wrap up our annual ߊߝ߭ߟߋߞߋ߫ߕߋ߫ Avlekété Festival at Gànlɔdó!
Avlekété, the woman with the dress of many colors, is the hùn (deity) of knowledge, speech and the arts, embodying the wisdom of spirit. She is the river of consciousness that enlivens creation; she is the dawn-deity whose rays dispel the darkness of ignorance. Without her there is only chaos and confusion. She punishes those who disrespect the sacredness of water and things associated with water. She is most represented in strong flowing rivers.
To realize her one must go beyond the pleasures of the senses and rejoice in the serenity of the spirit. Schools and libraries are her temples; books, pens, all tools of the artist and musical instruments are the items used in dɛxixò (act of worship) to the enlightening goddess of wisdom. It would be good to praise and invoke Avlekété to do well in school. Avlekété is a spiritual personification of the river Zu in Benin Republic.
Her number is 8. Eats yams, cornmeal, eggs, and enjoys cool herbs.
Animal Associations: peacock, Afrikan grey parrot, leopardess
Color: Multicolored
Finally, Avlekété had this very pertinent message for us at the conclusion of her rituals: "When wisdom is abandoned and humans corrupt the world, the Gnlankan ("Beast of Doom") will emerge and destroy the universe." Avlekété is the hùn that defeated the Beast of Doom, submerged it, and trapped it at the bottom of the sea. Avlekété is telling us that our actions are slowly freeing the Beast of Doom.
The Chant for this Avlekété Festival
Avalú Avlekété Mavɔmavɔ!
Dó yě fɔ́n gǔ dó xó e Mãwù Lisa ɖɔ é jí, yě hu tɛ́ nú nǔ e Avlekété Ajalɔ̌nlɔn kplɔ́n yě é.
Susu nú Avlekété Mavɔmavɔ, só ce e wú un gán jɛ é!
É mɛ e nɔ kplɔ́n mì ahwanfunfun, bó nɔ́ kplɔ́n mì lě e è nɔ kpé hun xá mɛ gbɔn é.
Avlekété Mavɔmavɔ, étɛ́ gbɛtɔ́ ka nyí lɔ tawun bɔ a ka ná tunwun i?
Jinúkánɖutɔ́ alɔ atɔ́ɔ́n ɔ́, étɛ́ é ká nyí bɔ a ka ná flín i?
Gbɛtɔ́ ɔ́, jɔhɔn ɖɔhun kpowun wɛ wá yi; azǎn tɔn lɛ́ɛ nɔ́ dín wá yi léwún yɛ ɖɔhun.
Avlekété Mavɔmavɔ, dɔn kǐnukúnsin wá do bo jɛ te. Đǒ alɔ só lɛ́ɛ wú bónú yě ní si azɔ.
Avlekété ce, un ná ji han yɔ̌yɔ́ ɖokpó nú we. Un ná zé kanhún kanwǒnɔ dó ji han mlá we.
Miton sín han Avlekété ce, axɔ́si ce! Un ná nɔ́ mlá we, un ná nɔ́ dó kú nú we tɛgbɛ.