Discover · Ouidah, Benin
Fifteen places, fifteen figures, fifteen thresholds. Each tells a part of what this town has been and of what it remains.
Each fiche is established in Ouidah, with the guarantor collectivities and the dignitaries of the cult. What may not be told is marked as such.
Where these places are
Outside the local frame, some 90 km to the north, in Abomey: The Agojié.
Five centuries
16th century
The Xwéda people found the city that will become Ouidah. King Kpassè, tradition says, did not die: he transformed into an iroko in the forest that still bears his name. →
1727
The capital of the Xwéda kingdom falls to the armies of King Agadja of Danxomè. What remains standing is Dangbé: the Python Temple becomes the ark of a scattered people. →
1892
After a century and a half of military power, including that of the Agojié, the kingdom falls to French conquest. →
1909
Built by Vodunsi hands according to local memory, the church is consecrated on 9 May 1909. →
1961
The Portuguese Fort ceases to be a Portuguese enclave and returns to Benin, eight decades after Portuguese occupation began. →
1989
Ouidah's church is elevated to the rank of minor basilica on 9 November 1989. →
1991
From 28 May to 4 June, the first national symposium on Vodun worship, held in Ouidah, decides to institute a Vodun day every 10 January.
1993
From 8 to 18 February, Ouidah hosts the first world festival of Vodun arts and cultures, planned for December 1992 and postponed, hence its name.
1996
Benin celebrates for the first time, on 10 January, the national festival of traditional religions, written into law no. 97-031 of 20 August 1997.
2024
The festival becomes the Vodun Days. Law no. 2024-32 of 2 September replaces the fixed date of 10 January with the second Friday of January and the Thursday preceding it.
2027
The Vodun Days are held from 2 to 9 January, official core on January 7, 8 and 9, Grand Ceremony on Friday the 8th. After Vodundays extends the experience from December 30 to January 16.
ONG Wa Afriki · N°0108/MISP
Every gate is covered on this page. Some, by tradition, are only crossed during the official core of the Vodun Days, January 7, 8 and 9, with the guardian collectives.