VOODOO ! ! ! ........

Voodoo is the traditional religion of southern Benin and Togo. Visitors are able to witness everyday village ceremonies where the “subject” transcends into a deep trance whilst coaxed by a frenzy of rhythmic dancing and the beating of drums, whilst the “witchdoctor” calls for and introduces the Spirits and the Deities. An amazing experience which we can only imagine!

Apart from their geographical proximity, Benin and Togo are closely linked in many ways, and a holiday in the area usually includes both countries, and probably Ghana as well.

As the Birthplace of Voodoo and the seat of one of Africa’s most powerful kingdoms, Benin was able to exercise an influence, and an awe inspiring power far beyond its borders.

The town of Ouidah is the Voodoo capital of Benin and it has numerous voodoo celebrations throughout the year. Before colonisation Ouidah was a slave market and slaves were shipped from here to Brazil, America and Haiti, taking their voodoo beliefs with them; hence the reason why voodoo is so strong in Haiti to this day.

Recently Benin has shrugged off a repressive Marxist regime to embrace capitalism and democracy with a noticeable fervour. The region of Abomey is where visitors will find remnants of the vast palaces of the Kingdom of Dahomey. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The coastal village of Ganvie should be included in any itinerary. It is built on stilts over a big lagoon, and, more than anywhere else on the Continent, deserves to be called “Africa’s Venice !”

There is good wildlife in Benin also, especially in Pendjary Wildlife Park, where there are many lions, elephant, antelope, monkeys and hippos in particular. It is best visited from December to March.

The people are extremely friendly and visitors to all areas and ceremonial activities, including voodoo, are made to feel very welcome.

The population is estimated to be nine million, the majority living in the south. The capital is officially Porto Novo, but the seat of Government and de facto capital is Cotonou, the largest city. The largest religious group by far is Christianity. As with Togo, Benin is seen as a stable country with little corruption by African standards. The economy is generally sound and has the seal of approval from both the World Bank and the IMF.

Cotonou harbours the country’s only seaport and international airport. Benin is linked by a two lane highway to neighbouring countries of Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria. Communications are good, and Benin is acclaimed along with South Africa as the continent’s pioneers of the internet and a mobile phone network. There is a relatively large European population (estimated at about six thousand), with many other expatriates from neighbouring countries and Lebanon and India.

The climate is generally tropical and does not really pose an obstacle for tourists to this region, as it is always warm and mostly dry.

The year is divided into three seasons:-

A dry but fresher season from October to February where the minimum temperature could be down to 20 degrees Celsius.

Another dry season but much warmer from March to May where the temperatures could rise to 45 degrees Celsius

A wet season from June to September, but less rain in August in the coastal areas. For a tropical area rainfall is relatively low.

Generally the northern savannah is warmer and drier than the coastal areas.