anchor History of the Fon
Ouidah, two stories in one
Ouidah (Glexwé in Fon) is one of the most iconic cities in Benin. A tragic port of the slave trade, it is also the spiritual capital of Vodun worldwide.
18th century — a slave port
Between 1700 and 1850, Ouidah was one of the most important slave-trading ports in West Africa. More thanone million enslaved people were shipped from there to the Americas.
Spiritual capital
Ouidah is also the heart of Vodun. The Temple of Pythons (Dangbé) has drawn pilgrims and tourists there for centuries.
The Slave Route
This 4 km route links the former auction square to the Door of No Return on the beach. It includes several memorial sites:
Worth visiting
In Benin, Ouidah History Museum (a former Portuguese fort) presents the slave trade and Vodun. Allow at least 2 hours for a full visit.
One city, two memories
Ouidah carries both the tragedy of the slave trade and the spirituality of Vodun. Going there means understanding an essential part of world history and of modern Benin.
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