What is exactly the Voodoo magic and folklore in Benin and Western Africa? Is that just a supersition or real?

Question

A job-mate , who is from Cameroon, told me that in Benin the Voodoo was something really serious and very dangerous.

He told me that a German tourist even died by heart attack because he tried to take off the mask of a tribal dancer in a village in Benin...

I wonder if it's plain legend or serious facts...Are there some proofs or reliable studies about these events ?...

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Answer 1

I lived in Nigeria, and every body there believes in JuJu.  Just like any religion, the stronger your belief, the more it will be true for you.  After all, who knows.  Maybe the German tourist had the heart attack because he ate fried schnitzel everyday, and he got dehydrated in the tropics and his heart gave out.