Traditional music in Benin

AGéLé in Yoruba language and KPOGJIGUèGUè in Fongbé is a traditional dance you can see in the center and the South of Benin. It is danced on bamboo high about three or four meters sometimes more. The dancers used to hide their face and make themselves not recognize by spectators. They wear a kind of clothes made with raffia under and normal traditional clothes up. It is very nice dance for celebration and important events. It is a kind of secret society because it is only the people inside can know the dancers another people are not allowed to know. This dance has some little secret and when they are dancing on the bamboo they cannot fall. And there is a little traditional ceremony to do before dancing.

Secret society in Benin

SECRET SOCIETY IN BENIN

GUELEDE

Guèlèdè is a secret society of Yoruba community. They are mostly present in Nigeria and constitute the most important urban civilization. They are also present in Benin and Togo where they are minority. In Africa the Yoruba traders are present everywhere in West and central since the 20^th century. Guèlèdè mask characterize the unity and diversity of common origin. The mother city is Ilé Ifè of Nigeria. The Yoruba people believe that the first person appear on the Earth in there. Guèlèdè is important is Benin and in 2001 UNESCO recognize it as immaterial heritage.

In Benin the rite of Guèlèdè is done in Ketou, Pobè, Savè. The practice of this culture is different in each community and conduct by a woman. Guèlèdè is a rite of culture and fecundity. It is why it is conducted by old women called “Awon iya wa” our mothers in Yoruba language. They are thought to have a lot of spiritual power and can obtain protection against diseases and sicknesses, death, wealthy and fecondity. The term Guèlèdè is unlimited and the masks have double aspects social and religious. Guèlèdè used to be played in two periods one for day and another one for night.

Mask in Benin transform the person who is wearing it and make him concretize the supernatural in human world. There are many different Guèlèdè masks you can discover them and their meaning in Guèlèdè museum in Ketou and the Ethnography museum of PortoNovo, Zinsou foundation….

 

GUELEDE the Oldest mask

                                                            One of the new masks

ZANGBETO

It is one of secret society of Benin. It was the police agent of the kings. Its role is the security of the city of PortoNovo in night.

Zangbeto is the only mask originally from Benin. They are especially present in the South and the center of the country. The thieves in night are always arrested and give to police in the day. Zangbeto is always played to enjoy people. But they like to play it on Saturday.

Zangbeto is a big mask cover by colorful straw. Zangbeto represent non-human spirit, the nature strength and night which occupy the earth before human. The people who wear the mask belong to a small secret society and nobody else knows their identity.

EGUNGUN

Egungun is all the bones in human body which form the skeleton. This divinity is the reincarnation of an old dead parent or relatives. It is invoked by the people in live it help to resolve some problems. In conclusion Egungun is the resurrection phenomenon in Yoruba culture.

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Yam Festival in Savalou

                                                    Pounded Yam in a Restaurant in Benin

Yam pounding in a Restaurant in Benin

Yam is grown in center and North of Benin. In Savalou it is a tradition to celebrate yam. Than every 15th of August people of Savalou and the king celebrate Yam festival. In this festival it is said that the ancestors and the divinities must taste the new yam before the human. That day the yam is cooked and give to divinities as sacrifice after that it is share to Savalou people and the guest. All Savalou people come out in their traditional dressing. It is a great celebration in which you can see all traditional musics and religion. The city is always full with people and there are many traditional events.

HairStyle in Benin, Africa

In Benin and many countries in Africa, Hair is very important. As young girl it is impossible not to take care of your hair. It is a part of African culture and symbol of African beauty. Whatever you are, you can be in village or city, from the little age you must dress your hair. In any celebration you can see all the women with beautiful hair.

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Photos by: Cora Unk Photo

Abomey Kingdom in Benin

Abomey Kingdom in Benin.

Abomey Kingdom in Benin

National Museum, Kingdom of King Glele

Photos by: Cora Unk Photo

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Arts in Benin, Africa Arts

In Africa, Benin is the best Arts country. You can see the many artist which represent the continent in many Arts exhibitions in the world. Arts is a tradition in this country. All the knowledge are from the kingdoms, it is an heritage from the old kingdoms.

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Guèlèdè, Benin

             This is the first Guèlèdè mask it is available in Kouas private collection in Porto Novo

GUELEDE

Guèlèdè is a secret society of Yoruba community. Yoruba people are mostly present in Nigeria and constitute the most important urban civilization. They are also present in Benin and Togo where they are minority. In Africa the Yoruba traders are present everywhere in West and central since the 20^th century. Guèlèdè mask characterize the unity and diversity of common origin. The mother city is Ilé Ifè of Nigeria. The Yoruba people believe that the first person appear on the Earth in there. Guèlèdè is important in Benin and in 2001 UNESCO recognized it as immaterial heritage.

In Benin the rite of Guèlèdè is done in Ketou, Pobè, Savè and some other youruba community. The practice of this culture is different in each community and conduct by a woman. Guèlèdè is a rite of culture and fecundity. It is why it is conducted by old women called “Awon iya wa” our mothers in Yoruba language. They are thought to have a lot of spiritual power and can obtain protection against diseases and sicknesses, death, wealthy and fecondity. The term Guèlèdè is unlimited and the masks have double aspects social and religious. Guèlèdè used to be played in two periods one for day and another one for night.

Mask in Benin transform the person who is wearing it and make him concretize the supernatural in human world. There are many different Guèlèdè masks you can discover them and their meaning in Guèlèdè museum in Ketou and the Ethnography museum of PortoNovo, Zinsou foundation….

                                           New Guèlèdè mask from the Guèlèdè museum in Ketou

Guèlèdè dance in Ketou

Voodoo in Benin

Benin is the earth of Voodoo, it is here you can see the root of Voodoo. From the South to the North, East to West you can see that Voodoo is alive. Even in the market you can buy Voodoo. In the big market of Cotonou, Benin economic capital city, you can see everything you can you o make voodoo, dead animal, leaves, and some voodoo. Voodoo is population in Benin and recognize like national religion, every 10th of January it is celebrate and the principal place is Ouidah, many important events take also place in Grand Popo, Abomey, Abomey Calavi, Porto Novo and every where in Benin

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Photos by: Cora Unk Photo and Jacques D. Houessou

Kingdoms in Benin

In Africa, specially in Benin,the kings are curator of the community. Their work is more cultural. They fight for the culture respect. Many time the kingdoms use to punish the people who don’t respect the cultural law.The kingdom is like a government the king is like the president and he has many ministries they are also called counsel or adviser. For the important decision the king convoke the counsel, discuss with them before the last word. The king is also responsible for all the convents of the kingdom, him first must respect everything strictly before making his people respect it. He is the one who must talk in the last position and his word is an order. He is said to be in contact directly with the ancestors.

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Photos by: Cora Unk Photo and Jacques Houessou