Culture

West Africa’s art, culture shine at the maiden ‘Vodun Days’ festival

Published

3 years ago

January 24, 2024

The world gathered to see the richness of West Africa’s art and culture at the maiden Vodun Days festival.

The festival drew people of African descent from seeking to discover the religion and land of their ancestors who were enslaved and shipped away from the beaches of West Africa.

Benin unveiled the maiden edition of ‘Vodun Days,’ a transformative celebration that merges arts, culture, and Vodun spirituality. Traditionally observed on January 10th, the Vodun Festival now takes on a new identity on January 9 and 10, 2024, in the historic city of Ouidah.

The event also boosts the culture and tourism. Jean-Michel Abimbola, Benin’s Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Arts, expressed the impact of ‘Vodun Days’ on the nation’s creative economy, stating, “By establishing ‘Vodun Days,’ tourism, culture, and arts sectors have been boosted to make them a second pillar for enriching the creative economy and generating employment.”

The festivities unfolded against the backdrop of Ouidah’s iconic landmarks, including the ‘Door of No Return’ and the city centre, providing a vibrant showcase of Benin’s rich heritage.

The move marks Benin’s commitment to rediscovering and sharing the profound connection between arts, culture, and Vodun spirituality with the global community.

At the heart of this cultural resurgence are ambitious projects, including the construction of an International Vodun Museum, the establishment of the Vodun Convents Route, and the introduction of ‘Vodun Days.’ By emphasizing its cultural and spiritual legacy, Benin aims to position itself as the birthplace of Vodun.

The two-day extravaganza brought an exceptional cultural and spiritual program, encompassing performances at Vodun squares and convents, a bustling Vodun Days Village featuring crafts and food stands, an artistic stage hosting evening concerts on the beach, and a ceremonial event on January 10 attended by high dignitaries.

From the rhythmic Vodun Hounve dances to the mesmerizing appearances of Zangbetos and Egungun, the festivities will also pay homage to deities such as Yaoïtcha and Vodun Mami Dan. The event climaxed with open-air concerts on the seashore, featuring both international and homegrown talents.

‘Vodun Days,’ formerly known as the Vodun Festival, is set to become an annual international event showcasing the arts, culture, and Vodun spirituality, solidifying Ouidah, the City-Museum, as a unique destination for a cultural and spiritual experience.

Related Topics:Culture Featured Festival Vodun Days’

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

4 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”