In a sacred wood near Lake Togo, Voodoo priests and priestesses in white loincloths and pearl necklaces gather around an elder cradling a small oval stone — and the entire year ahead is read in its color. Epe-Ekpe (Ekpessosso) is the Guin people’s new year: the 363rd unveiling of the sacred stone took place this September in Glidji-Kpodji Square near Aného, with drumming, singing, and hours of trance-like dancing. This year the stone emerged white — a sign of peace and prosperity. A tradition stretching back to 1663, still alive and pulsing. Teach English in Togo