2025Research Article
Ouidah and the Memory of Slavery: A Journey Through the Slave Route in Benin
Based on the work of Rossila Goussanou
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Ouidah Origins | Digital Sanctuary and Archives of Benin's Sacred Memory
Ouidah Origins
The DigitalSanctuary
Vodun Heritage • Benin • Memory Archives
"We do not visit Ouidah to see the past. We visit to be seen by it."
Ouidah Origins
The DigitalSanctuary
Vodun Heritage • Benin • Memory Archives
"We do not visit Ouidah to see the past. We visit to be seen by it."
Diaspora2026-05-22
Kodjovi: Claudy Siar Finds His Beninese Roots in Ouidah
On 22 May 2026 — anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Martinique — Claudy Siar officially joined the Zossoungbo lineage, a founding family of Ouidah, received the name Kodjovi, and was granted Beninese nationality during a Vodun ceremony at the Door of No Return.
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art2026-05-13
Vodun Hwendo: The Ouidah Biennial Becomes a Transatlantic Curatorial Platform
Renamed Vodun Hwendo, the Ouidah Biennial becomes a transatlantic curatorial platform dedicated to Vodun aesthetics from a decolonial perspective. From 12 to 16 August 2026, it brings together artists, researchers and Afro-Atlantic communities in Ouidah.
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Heritage2026-05-09
Ouidah and Abomey: The Pact Between Benin's Two Heritage Capitals
From the first working meeting in March 2026 to the field visit of 8 May and the historic convention signing scheduled for 14 May: the mayors of Ouidah and Abomey are formalising a cooperation that could reshape Beninese cultural tourism and set a precedent for all 77 communes.
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ChroniclesThe Chronicles
The Chronicles
of the Sanctuary
Life stories, contemporary reflections, and daily echoes captured in the heart of the sacred city.
All chronicles44 articles
The Pillars of
Memory
From the Door of No Return to the Sacred Forest of Kpassè. Explore the monumental and spiritual foundations of the city.
Studies & Research
Deep dive into the academic archives and scientific works documenting the intangible and historical memory of Ouidah.
The Hospitality of
the Sanctuary
Beninese hospitality is not improvised; it is experienced. Immerse yourself in our hidden sanctuaries, local flavors, and traditional art.
Sanctuaries
Discover Ouidah's hidden sanctuaries, guesthouses, and sacred places where history is lived every day.Flavors
Taste the authentic flavors of Ouidah: local cuisine, markets, and the Atlantic's culinary heritage.Craft
Meet the craftspeople and artists who keep ancestral techniques alive, from indigo to ironwork.Next step
The story has been told to you.
It is time to walk it.