It is a pledge that binds one’s mind, body and soul. It obligates one to obey until the “debt” is paid. This curse has been placed upon those who are trafficked to instill fear. This ritual comes from the traditional West African religion called Juju. The oath consists of mixing the girls pubic hair along with her blood. It is a dark form of juju not to be taken casually, if one disobeys the oath, it is believed that she and her family will be killed.
They are tricked by the allure of a better life in Europe. So they eagerly swear to this oath. However these juju priests who perform the ritual are subjecting the women into slavery. Is it a tradition or a hoax? The people involved in the trafficking of these women do not need muscles to scare the girls. These women are compelled by Juju, not physical violence. When they arrive in Europe their fate reaches them. They are sex slaves, and now told they will not return home until they pay back what they owe for coming to Europe. According to Al Jazeera the price the girls “owe” ranges from 30,000 euro’s to 60,000. They can never afford to pay this back because whatever money they receive is collected from them, and the madam who is in charge of the girls also charges rent, food, and clothing.
They fear the Juju. To fearful to ever flee. They are stuck. But who are we as outsiders to claim whether or not these traditions are true. To judge their beliefs. To say why don’t they escape, the juju is not real, it cannot harm them. It is their belief, and what one believes is just as dangerous as a man with a gun. But the juju priest involvement in the enslaving oath is questionable. They profit from the girls taking this oath, and manipulate their power. Where is the line drawn between tradition and oppression? This practice is very common in Edo a state of Nigeria and now churches that have popped up in the region that are also cashing in on this ritual. This perverted use of the religion has contributed greatly to the Nigerian women who are sex slaves in Europe and other parts of the world.
Photo Credit:http://thespiritualweek.wordpress.com/2011/07/07/nigerian-juju-trafficking-case/
