Vodun Day 2013 by Hannu Lindroos
National Vodun Day was celebrated again in Gbêcon, in Grand-Popo on 10th January 2013.
People across West Africa hold beliefs similar to Vodun, but in Benin this belief system is recognised as an official religion. It is followed by some 40% of the population.
Even if authorities in the past sought to extirpate Voodoo from the country, it is now being widely accepted and celebrated as a religion in its own right, and considered a deeply rooted aspect of the region’s culture.
Since 1996, the 10th of January has been dedicated to celebrate Vodun and the ”Voodoo Day” is a bank holiday. One of the biggest celebrations of the day take place in the Voodoo-stadium of Grand- Popo.