Thousands of people gathered in the historic coastal city of Ouidah, Benin on Saturday as Benin’s annual Vodun Days Festival officially opened, marking the start of three days of vibrant “voodoo” culture celebration.
The video report captures scenes from the opening day, showing performers in traditional attire dancing through the streets and weaving among enthusiastic crowds. Spectators are seen watching, filming and joining in as music, movement and colour fill the public spaces, reflecting the energy and significance of the occasion.
Vodun Days Festival celebrates Benin’s traditional vodun religion through rituals, music, dance and ceremonial performances. Organised by the government for the third consecutive year, the festival has grown steadily in scale and profile. What began as a one-day ceremony has evolved into a three-day international event that attracts visitors from across Benin and beyond.
Ouidah, widely regarded as the world’s spiritual capital of Vodun, has become a focal point for the celebrations. In recent years, Vodun Days has drawn growing numbers of tourists, practitioners and cultural enthusiasts, strengthening the city’s reputation as a centre for traditional belief and heritage tourism.
Vodun, sometimes referred to internationally as voodoo, is an ancient faith rooted in ancestor reverence, nature and spirituality. Recognised as originating in Benin, the religion holds a central place in the country’s history and identity. Benin observes Vodun as a national holiday, reflecting its importance in the nation’s cultural and spiritual life.
View the full video report below;
[This current affairs report item is provided as part of Broadcast Media Africa (BMA)’s mandate to keep Africa’s broadcast media audiences and stakeholders informed on international developments in local and global humanitarian and public service broadcasting.]
