Voodoo brides

Voodoo is shrouded in mystery; its secrets are carefully kept behind the walls of traditional voodoo monasteries. In Benin, children are sent to these convents to learn voodoo traditions and language. But the stay in a monastery may last months or even years before parents can pay for a special release ceremony. As a result, children miss out on school and often live in appalling conditions. While some are trying to change the custom of sending children to voodoo monasteries, others claim that tradition must be preserved.

Watch "Voodoo brides" on RTD website.