Imperial Corps Agoodjié Tours: Overseas Pilgrimages, and Women Warriors Events
BENIN 2025
10 Days Tour
For all participants interested, a rigorous 10-Day training tour from January 4 -10 takes place in the Kingdom of Abomey, and other historic kingdoms of Bénin Republic. There, we shall meet with Queens, Kings, and dignitaries of their respective palaces. Participants will have an orientation class, a purification bath, marches of 5 to 7 kilometers (3.1 to 4.3 miles), and educational lectures/discussions during the tour. Rituals, song and dance workshops, and appointments for spiritual consultations are also on the agenda. Important sites such as the, “Door of No Return” in Ouidah; the Holy City of Danxomé, Cana; Nikki, and the Route of Resistance, Abomey are visited. Without exception, interested participants must take the on-line introductory class to participate in the ICAAD 10 Days Tour. Graduates of the course and tour will be appointed cadets of the, Imperial Corps Agoodjié of the Royal Palace of the African Diaspora. A detailed itinerary is available upon registration click here.
NOTE: While this is not boot camp, cadets may find themselves periodically “roughing it.” Bring appropriate clothing, shoes, insect repellent, hair coverage, etc.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
20% Non-refundable deposit: TBD
50% payment due: TBD
100% payment due: TBD
Fees will be influenced by the number of participants. We will be staying in local hotels. All participants are requested in Cotonou by the evening of 21st July.
Living Legends: Young Amazons Parade Routine in Cotonou August 2022
New York 2024
Fanm Vanyan: Women Warriors Standing on Business
Enshrining centuries of women-led resistance, listen actively to the enlightening presentations by the Founder of the Imperial Corps Agoodjié of the African Diaspora, Queen Mother Dòwòti, and African women organizer, Queen Mother Zognidi of the Sedessa Palace of Abomey. The Queen Mothers speak on the importance of risk-taking, nation-building and creating solid platforms for transnational cooperation. Learn what it means to stand on business, in life, love, leadership and protecting the space of home? Leap into your spiritual consciousness via the powerful dances of Danxomé. Special guest, Fulbright-Hays awarée, choregrapher and artist, Ms. Caleb Dowden will unlock forces long dormant as your body cascades in a traditional war dance. Our conversations around the legacy of Black woman leadership includes light West African lunch provided by Ganjín Cafe and a souvenir tee-shirt. REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fanm-vanyan-women-warriors-standing-on-business-tickets-1006990755457?aff=oddtdtcreator
Take the first step towards becoming the legacy of the Diaspora. Embrace your warrior spirit and forge your place in history during this pivotal moment of change. It started with Anacaona, Sainte and Abdaraya, now its Kamala and, you.
Fanm Vanyan: Women Warriors Standing on Business is curated by Dr. Dòwòti Désir as part of her 2024 Scholar-In-Residency, sponsored by the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute.
Link to event on CCCADi's website: https://www.cccadi.org
Link to event on ICAAD's website:www.imperialcorpsagoodjie.org
Notes for participants:
Bring a lappa or fanny wrap to dance in, and a head wrap
Arm yourself with a song, prayer, or words of wisdom to share with your sister warriors during our Sacred Circle ceremony
Registration is $80. Students (with ID) pay $60. The price discrepancy is the Eventbrite fee.
With your ticket purchase, 15% of the proceeds of this event will be donated to support the Solidarity Orphanage in the Village of Kenouhoue, Benin Republic where children who are victims of religious violence, and neglect, were abandoned by their families. They are educated in math, science, reading, writing and tradtional culture. The Queen Mother is the Godmother of the orphanage. Providing support to the Solidarity Orphanage is the nucleus of the ICAAD's community service.
