Portrait of Voodoo ( Marasa ) twins, adepts studying to become VooDoo priests. Voodoo originates in the kingdom of Dahomey, now Benin, and is a vibrant religion deeply intertwined with the region's culture. The central dogma of Voodoo is animism, which states that all beings have a spirit. In Dahomet, twins and pairs were extremely relevant as they represented the totality achieved by complementarity between the visible and invisible worlds. Like other religions, Voodoo priests are revered as leaders and spiritual guides who oversee religious matters and ceremonies. The Voodoo priests perform rituals not only to help people with illness but also to ward off evil spirits and help individuals achieve success. Priesthood can be achieved through training, birth, or spirit possession, and an established priest often trains children in Voodoo from an early age. They are responsible for interpreting the will of the spirits, conducting rituals, and providing guidance to the community.