Diaspora
Black Travel Summit 2027 in Benin: the independent guide for attendees
The Black Travel Summit 2027 lands in Cotonou on 11 to 14 November 2027, its first edition in Africa. Dates, passes, and how to add Ouidah, the Door of No Return and the Slave Route to your trip.
Xwétanu: The Memory of Vodun at the Heart of Candomblé
The history of Vodun in Benin and Candomblé in Brazil is not frozen in time. Discover how artist Azeemã documents these shared memories through her project Xwétanu.
August 23 in Ouidah: From the Door of No Return to the Door of Return
On August 23, 2026, the commemoration of the transatlantic slave trade in Ouidah went beyond symbolism with strong legal acts: the granting of Beninese nationality and the memorial march towards the Door of Return.
Claudy Siar discovers his Beninese roots in Ouidah
On May 22, 2026, Claudy Siar transformed the Door of No Return into a Door of Return, connecting his heritage to the Zossoungbo lineage in a moving ceremony.
Three Days in Ouidah: a diaspora visitor itinerary
Three days in Ouidah may seem short, but it's enough to feel the essence. This itinerary invites an authentic immersion, away from mere sightseeing.
How to successfully research your ancestors in Benin
Facing the mystery of your origins, this guide helps you in the quest for your ancestors in Benin. Explore archives, DNA tests, and more.
Tracing your roots and family history in Ouidah
Ouidah, a port of memory, becomes a place of healing for the diaspora. Genealogical research takes on a spiritual and political dimension, redefining identity.
Walking the Slave Route as a spiritual pilgrimage
The slave route is a living testament, not a mere destination. Walking it as a pilgrimage transforms the journey into an act of remembrance and connection.
Ouidah concierge for diaspora and roots travelers
Traveling to Ouidah is not just a getaway. It's a return to your origins, a quest for authenticity, and a deep connection with your roots. Our concierge service is the key to experiencing this unique journey.
Ouidah and the Americas: enduring living connections
Ouidah, in Benin, is much more than a starting point for the history of slavery. It is a bridge between continents, where culture and spirituality continue to resonate.
Tracing your roots in Ouidah: complete genealogy guide
The quest for your African roots begins here, blending science, memory, and culture. This guide accompanies you on a complex and enriching journey in Ouidah.
Benin grants citizenship to Afro-descendants
Close to 60 Afro-descendants received Beninese citizenship across four ceremonies in 2026, marking a symbolic return to their roots. Ouidah, a place of memory, becomes a symbol of a path to reconciliation.
Journey into Afro-Atlantic heritage in Benin
Walking the slave route in Ouidah, you enter a living memory. This journey is not just tourism, but a quest for identity and heritage.
The cultural tourism model of Benin compared
Benin has created a cultural tourism model focused on the diaspora, combining strategy and historical memory. What sets it apart from other African countries?
How to obtain Beninese citizenship as an Afro-descendant
In 2024, Benin paved the way by offering citizenship to afro-descendants. This process transforms lives and restores ancestral ties.
Three Days in Ouidah: an itinerary for the diaspora
Three days in Ouidah may not be enough to see everything, but they can transform your trip into a meaningful experience. Dive into the itinerary.
Ouidah and Cuba: the forgotten diaspora connection
The Aurore left Ouidah for Cuba, carrying a little-known story of the African diaspora. This connection, rich in culture and memory, deserves exploration.
The Agudás: the Brazilians who came back to Africa
In the nineteenth century, thousands of Afro-Brazilians crossed the Atlantic in reverse — back to the West African coast. They brought Portuguese, Catholicism, Brazilian architecture and surnames that still mark Ouidah today. The Agudás are one of the Atlantic's most forgotten stories.
Candomblé and Vodun: what connects them and what divides them
Candomblé and Vodun share a common root — but three centuries of separate evolution have made them distinct. Neither is a copy of the other. This guide explores the connections, the divergences, and what it means for a candomblé practitioner to visit Ouidah.
African citizenship for the diaspora: Benin vs Ghana
In 2019, Ghana celebrated the return of the diaspora, while in 2024, Benin enacted a citizenship law. These approaches reveal fundamental differences.
Proving African ancestry: DNA, archives, oral history
In a quest for citizenship, proving African ancestry is essential yet complex. This guide navigates the intricate paths of DNA, archives, and oral history, revealing what truly constitutes valid evidence.
A guide to the Afro-Brazilian surnames of Ouidah
Da Silva. De Souza. D'Almeida. Olympio. Behind every Aguda surname in Ouidah lies a story of enslavement, return, and identity rebuilt across two continents. This guide traces the names and what they mean.
The Afro-Brazilian Cathedral
Facing the Python Temple, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is Ouidah's most striking Catholic building. Its history, its 1903-1909 construction, and what its location says about the town.
The Brazilian Heritage
In Ouidah, Brazilian heritage is not just sobrado facades. It lives in the food, the language, the carnival, the family names. What the Aguda really brought back from Brazil.
Zomachi, the memorial of repentance
Zomachi, "the place where the light never goes out," was a slave-trade memorial on Ouidah's Slave Route, created by Professor Honorat Aguessy. Home to a march of repentance since 1998, it was demolished in 2024.