Benin is a small country in West Africa with a turbulent past. In the early colonial period, the region was called 'Slave Coast' and the legacy of this evil trade is still to be seen today in modern Benin's building and culture. From the 17th through to the 19th century the kings of Dahomey became fantastically wealthy by raiding their neighbours and selling the resulting captives, through intermediaries, to be shipped to the West Indies, Brazil or the United States. Ouidah, on the coast, became a major slave trading port, and the Luso-Brazillian influence in many of its oldest buildings can still be seen.
The Portuguese Fort at Ouidah is the setting for the late Brice Chatwin's semi-factual novella The Viceroy of Ouidah, telling the story of the Brazillian slaver Francisco da Souza - a book that bears comparison with Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Nineteenth century attempts by the Royal Navy to put an end to the slave trade are recounted by some of those who were there in King Guezo of Dahomey 1850-52 in The Stationery Office Uncovered Editions series. Ouidah is also the burthplace of the Voodoo religion, which was exported with the slaves to the Americas.
SNC Africa organized a unique field trip to Benin for journalists, businessmen and opinion formers, as part of the commemorations of the 200th anniversary of Britain's abolision of the Transatlantic slave trade.
Originally built as a church for returned slaves from Brazil, the mosque at Porto Novo aptly demonstrates the variety of cultures that have come together to create the modern Benin.
Fear of slavers led villagers in the southern region of Benin, where there are many lakes and lagoons, to build their homes on water, as seen here at the famous stilted village of Ganvie. Front porch, Ganvie style. Fishing on Lake Aherne.
Benin is the home of the voodoo religion, and is particularly strong in the town of Ouidah, where this voodoo priest lives.
A video of a voodoo ceremony in full swing.
Animal sacrifice occupies an important role in the voodoo religion, as this goat is finding out to its cost...
