My Stolen Childhood: Understanding the trokosi system - BBC Africa Eye documentary

Summary

The video script narrates the harrowing journey of Brigitte Sossou Perenyi, who was trafficked from Togo to Ghana at the age of seven and forced into trokosi, a form of ritual servitude. She was labeled a 'wife of the gods' to atone for her uncle's adultery. After her release facilitated by an American viewer and adoption by Kenneth Perenyi, she spent 13 years in the US, grappling with the void left by her lost childhood. The script follows her quest for understanding trokosi's cultural roots, her return to her birth family, and her emotional confrontation with her past. It also highlights the ongoing struggle against this practice, despite it being illegal, and the resilience of those like Brigitte and Christiana, who were once trapped in such shrines.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The script is set in Ghana, West Africa, where the narrator was brought at the age of 7 and forced into a system known as trokosi.
• 🔒 Trokosi is a practice where women and children are enslaved in religious shrines as a form of atonement for a family member's perceived wrongdoing.
• 🏰 The narrator was held in a shrine, stripped of her clothes, name, and freedom, and forced into labor and isolation.
• 🌱 The practice of trokosi is illegal but still prevalent in parts of West Africa, including Ghana, Togo, and Benin.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The narrator's journey to understand her past leads her to reconnect with her Togolese family and explore the cultural roots of trokosi.
• 🏛️ The trokosi system is deeply rooted in beliefs about appeasing deities and avoiding misfortune, which has allowed it to persist for over 300 years.
• 👥 The narrator meets with experts and community elders to discuss the practice, revealing the complexity of cultural beliefs and the impact on individuals.
• 🏫 Despite being liberated, many former trokosi individuals face challenges such as lack of education and the stigma of their past.
• 🤝 The narrator's return to her family and her village of origin is a significant step in her healing process and her quest for understanding.
• 💪 The story emphasizes the importance of second chances and the resilience of the human spirit in overcoming adversity and reclaiming one's identity.

Q & A

What is the practice of trokosi?

Trokosi is a traditional practice in parts of Ghana, Togo, and Benin where women and children are sent to live in shrines as a form of atonement for a family member's sins or crimes.

Why was Brigitte taken from her home at the age of 7?

Brigitte was taken from her home because her uncle had committed adultery, and as a result, she was forced into the trokosi system as a form of punishment for his actions.

How did Brigitte eventually gain her freedom from the shrine?

Brigitte was liberated with the help of a charity called International Needs and an American viewer named Kenneth Perenyi, who negotiated her release and later became her adoptive father.

What was Brigitte's experience like while living in the shrine?

Brigitte's experience in the shrine was marked by hard physical labor, isolation, and a lack of education. She was made to perform chores, work on the farm, and was not allowed to play or attend school.

Why did Brigitte decide to return to her birth family in Togo?

Brigitte decided to return to her birth family to find answers to the questions she had about her past and to understand why she was given away to the trokosi system.

What was the reaction of Brigitte's family when she returned to Togo?

Brigitte's family was surprised and emotional upon her return. They had no idea she was coming, and the reunion was filled with a mix of joy and disbelief.

How did Brigitte feel about her time in the shrine after being freed?

Even after being freed, Brigitte felt a sense of emptiness and sadness. She was relieved to be out but still thought about her birth family and the life she could have had.

What is the current legal status of trokosi in Ghana?

Trokosi was made illegal in Ghana in 1998, but the practice still continues in some areas due to deeply ingrained cultural beliefs and lack of enforcement.

Why is it difficult to change the beliefs and practices surrounding trokosi?

Changing the beliefs and practices surrounding trokosi is difficult because it is deeply rooted in cultural and religious traditions. Many people believe that they are serving their gods and protecting their families by participating in the practice.

What did Brigitte learn about her family's involvement in the trokosi system?

Brigitte learned that her parents were misled and thought they were sending her to live with her uncle for a better education. They did not knowingly send her to the shrine.

How does Brigitte view her past and her future after revisiting her experiences with trokosi?

Brigitte sees her past as a strength for her future. She believes that her deep faith in God and the love of her family and friends have allowed her to grow and embrace the second chance at life she has been given.