The territory of modern Benin was once home to the prominent West African Kingdom known as Dahomey as is considered the birthplace of Vodou, also known as Vodun. The Dahomey were powerful rulers during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade in the seventeenth century, In the early 1700's the French established colonies on the coast of the West African Kingdom. Later, due to the sheer number of slaves traded on the coast, it became known as the "Slave Coast." Slaves were shipped to areas dominated by the Portuguese, Spanish, French and colonial America. It is here that the religions of the slaves mingled with the beliefs of the slave-holders. Distinct Vodou practices and ceremonial styles came out of the slave trade.
Voudou is made up of voodoo spirits that govern society and the forces of nature. It is also primarily an oral tradition; therefore, names of gods and specificity of rituals can alter generation to generation. Followers of Vodou believe there is a link between the natural world and that of the invisible worlds. This link is connected through ceremony, prayer, possession and service. Vodou practice is to protect family and home, not to conjure evil.
The French Kingdom of Dahomey achieved independence in 1960; it changed its name to the Republic of Benin in 1975. Currently, 17.3 % of Beninese practice Vodun ( according to the CIA World Factbook). The religion has its own national day on Jan. 10. It also. coexists peacefully with Islam and Catholicism, the other major religions in the country.
Voudou is made up of voodoo spirits that govern society and the forces of nature. It is also primarily an oral tradition; therefore, names of gods and specificity of rituals can alter generation to generation. Followers of Vodou believe there is a link between the natural world and that of the invisible worlds. This link is connected through ceremony, prayer, possession and service. Vodou practice is to protect family and home, not to conjure evil.
The French Kingdom of Dahomey achieved independence in 1960; it changed its name to the Republic of Benin in 1975. Currently, 17.3 % of Beninese practice Vodun ( according to the CIA World Factbook). The religion has its own national day on Jan. 10. It also. coexists peacefully with Islam and Catholicism, the other major religions in the country.
For more on the beliefs of Voudun, please visit: http://www.vaudou-vodun.com/en/toc/sommaire/#/cartier/11/the-west-african-vodun/14/videos/page/2/