Benin

Getting to Benin wasn’t easy. Crossing overland from Nigeria meant passing countless police checkpoints where officers repeatedly asked for “coffee money,” and at the border, an immigration official refused to return my passport until I paid a bribe. It was a frustrating introduction, but once inside, I discovered a country with an incredibly rich cultural identity.

Often regarded as the birthplace of Vodun, Benin has preserved spiritual traditions that have been practiced for centuries. In the country’s interior, I attended a traditional Vodun ceremony, where drums echoed through the village as masked performers danced in elaborate costumes. It was fascinating to witness a belief system that has influenced cultures across the Atlantic, including the development of Haitian Vodou and other Afro-Caribbean religions.

Back in the economic capital of Cotonou, one of the landmarks that impressed me most was the towering Amazon statue, which honors the Agojie, the legendary all-female warriors of the Kingdom of Dahomey who inspired the film The Woman King. Learning about their courage and discipline gave me a deeper appreciation for Benin’s history and the remarkable role women have played in shaping it.