Benin voodoo festival captivates global audiences

In the quaint coastal town of Ouidah, Benin, Simenou Dangnitche, draped in white cloth and strings of pearls, concluded her annual ritual at the “Door of No Return.”

For 15 years, she, along with hundreds, has partaken in Benin’s renowned Voodoo festival, a spiritual pilgrimage to connect with ancestors and rejuvenate the soul.

Describing the experience, Dangnitche shared, “It’s more than just a festival. The meeting here is a pilgrimage, a rejuvenation, a reconnection with the ancestors to hear them speak to us again.”

Voodoo, locally known as Vodoun, is a religion deeply rooted in the Dahomey kingdom, present-day Benin and Togo.

Despite coexisting with Christianity, Vodoun remains prevalent, especially in coastal towns like Ouidah, adorned with memorials to the historical slave trade.

This year marked a transformative shift as Benin’s government rebranded the event, aiming to enhance its appeal to tourists and bolster the nation’s economy.

The traditional month-long festival was condensed into a dynamic two-day celebration from January 9-10, now called “Vodun Days.”

Expressing her astonishment, Dangnitche noted, “I was stunned by the organization and structuring of the festival.”

According to Kakpo Mahougnon, chair of the Benin Vodun Rites Committee, the government is contemplating further extensions, signaling a new era in presenting Vodoun to the world.

President Patrice Talon, who actively participated in the celebration, emphasized the economic significance of Vodoun.

“Our intention is to fully reveal to the world what Vodoun is and how it is practiced, to explain Vodoun and its spiritual and sociological concepts,” he stated.

“Vodoun is of economic interest to us since tourism is an important sector.”

The town of Ouidah underwent a makeover for the occasion, with several attractions refurbished. American Christopher Swain, a regular attendee, noticed “significant changes” and praised the revamped festivities.

Ouidah’s public squares echoed with celebrations, featuring jazz, dancing, and even the participation of President Talon.

The 73-year-old spiritual leader of Vodoun, Daagbo Hounon, emphasized dispelling misconceptions, stating, “We need to prove to the world that there is nothing Satanic or evil about Vodoun.”

“Vodoun is about tolerance, sharing, love, generosity, and peace,” Hounon affirmed.

“Vodoun is spiritual, but it is also several arts combined, as we can see from the songs and dances of the faithful.”

Alain Godonou, head of the Heritage and Tourism Agency, applauded the revamped celebrations as a “major development in the promotion of Vodoun as a real catalyst for tourism.”

He highlighted their role in attracting curiosity and encouraging people to discover the essence of Vodoun.

While aiming to draw international tourists, the government also emphasized the importance of domestic tourism to boost the local economy.

President Talon, however, refrained from disclosing the budget allocated to promoting and organizing Vodoun Days.