Voodoo celebrated at Benin’s annual festival
Voodoo was officially declared a religion in Benin in 1996.Benin’s Voodoo Festival is held every year and is the West African country’s most vibrant and colorful event. It attracts thousands of devotees and tourists for a day filled with ritual dances and gin drinking.
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- A Vodoo devotee dressed up in a costume performs at the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A woman is seen on her way to attend the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- Voodoo devotees walk through a palm tree plantation on their way to the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- Voodoo devotees covered in oil, powder and yellow colorant are seen at the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- Voodoo devotees walk toward the ocean to pay respects to Mami Wata (Water Mother) at the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A Voodoo devotee performs on a beach at the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A Voodoo priest gestures at the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- Voodoo devotees covered in oil, powder and yellow colorant talk to each other at the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A Voodoo devotee stands infront of his deity at the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- People from across Benin arrive at Ouidah for the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A Voodoo devotee arrives at the festival ground of the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A Voodoo devotee arrives at the festival ground of the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A Voodoo devotee arrives at the festival ground of the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A Voodoo devotee is seen wearing a costume at the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A Voodoo devotee in a trance performs at the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A man performs acrobatics on a bamboo pole at the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A man performs at the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A Voodoo devotee blows a whistle as she tries to make her way through the large crowd of devotees and tourists attending the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A Voodoo devotee dressed up in a costume performs at the annual Voodoo Festival on January 10, 2017 in Ouidah. (STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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