SLU-Madrid Welcomes Francesco Bellina to Discuss "Oriri" Project on Human Trafficking
On April 7 and 9, the Saint Louis University-Madrid community welcomed Francesco Bellina for a presentation and workshop on his project "Oriri" (2016–2020).
Bellina, an award-winning photojournalist, presented "Oriri" as a long-term project examining human trafficking through the religious ties between victims and perpetrators.
The project documents how sex traffickers collaborate with ritual pastors, often associated with Voodoo practices, to create bonds of subjugation. Victims are tied to their exploiters through faith, reinforcing systems of control.
"Oriri" follows the experiences of women affected by trafficking, tracing their journeys back to the initiation rites that bind them. The work highlights how criminal networks intersect with religious structures, as well as the role of priests and nuns who help support victims.
The project spans four countries: Benin, Nigeria, Ghana and Niger, where these rites take place. The project begins in Benin, where Voodoo is recognized as an official religion and is traditionally viewed as a system intended to protect against harm.
In March 2026, Bellina's "Oriri" exhibition was shown in Milan at the CMQ Architettura studio.
Students attended the presentation to learn about the cultural and ethical dimensions of documenting human trafficking.