24612: Denis (reply) re: Ezili Danto

[sak-pase@bimini.ws]

Marcel Denis <Jolierosey@aol.com>


I am in receipt of your email in which you asked me to opine on Dr. 
Judson inquiry about Ezili Danto. While Dr. Judson is correct in his 
assertion of Ezili Danto resembling the Lady of Czestochowa of Poland, 
he is however wrong on the origin thereof. Ezili Danto is rooted in the 
Egyptian Mythology. She is known as Isis and Horus or Ast and Heru. With 
the Arab invasion, the traditional African Egyptian priests and 
priestesses were forced to migrate in the western part of Africa and 
maintained the mystery system under the banner of Vodum. However, prior 
to the Arab invasion was the Graeco-Roman invaders who occupied Egypt 
from 323 to 30 B.C. Unlike the Arabs, the Greeks and the Romans did not 
disturb the spiritual concepts of Egypt. If anything, they incorporated 
the Egyptians' spiritual concepts into their own. Ast was introduced to 
Italy and permeated through out Europe. It is no wonder that the Lady of 
Czestochowa is of dark complexion. For reference, I will direct you to 
the following books: Black Women in Antiquity edited by Ivan Van 
Sertima; Osiris and the Egyptian Resurrection Volume 1&2 Translated by 
E.A. Wallis Budge; The Book of the Dead by Wallis as well; Dr. Yosef 
Ben-Jochannan's book African Origins of the Major Western Religions and 
Secrets of Voodoo by Rigaud Milo.

Ever wonder why the Catholic' s patrons images are such an integral part 
of the Voodoo tradition?

Marcel Denis