Inside Benin’s Vodun-centered Heritage Revolution

Benin is redefining how African heritage is preserved and interpreted through initiatives like the Festival of Masks in Porto-Novo and the upcoming International Vodun Museum. Rooted in Vodun, the indigenous spiritual tradition that emerged in the former Kingdom of Dahomey, the festival showcased masquerade traditions, including Zangbéto, Egungun, and Gèlèdè, alongside international delegations from Togo, Nigeria, and China. Organizers argue that masquerades are not mere performances but living expressions of ancestral knowledge and community memory, challenging colonial-era frameworks that reduced Vodun to superstition. An accompanying scientific symposium brought together scholars and traditional authorities to document and interpret these practices. Following the 2021 restitution of royal treasures from France, Benin’s cultural strategy now emphasizes that returning objects is not enough; heritage must remain connected to the communities and practices that sustain it, positioning the country as a leader in reshaping global restitution debates.