celebration Twins
Twins festival
Every year in Cotonou, the twins festival brings together hundreds of Beninese families to honor the Hohovi. A celebration unique in the world.
schedule 5 min
signal_cellular_alt All levels
1
Festival
When and where
WhereCotonou (cultural center)
WhenVaries, often July-August
Duration3 days
Participants500+ families with twins
AudienceOpen, free
2
Rituals
Festival ceremonies
BlessingsVodun priests bless the twins
DressTwins in matching wax-print cloth
FeastSymbolic double meal
DancesTraditional choreography
Group photoAll the families together
Hohovi
The spirit of twins celebrated
3
In practice
Attending
Tourist officeCotonou, for exact dates
Dress codeRespectful wax-print outfit
PhotosAsk permission first
GiftsToys, books for the twins
DonationTo the Hohovi community
Advice
The twins festival gets less media coverage than the Vodun Days, but it is just as authentic. Ideal for travelers who want to see a genuine living tradition.
Celebrating duality
The twins festival in Cotonou shows that the Hohovi tradition is very much alive. An experience not to miss if you want to understand the heart of Benin.
Nɛ a nɔ nyi ?
“What’s your name?” — lesson 3, chapter 1
Parlons Fongbe Academy
The full course
Behind every first name, there is a whole language.
A Fon name is a sentence. To truly hear it, you need the language: 79 video lessons with a native speaker — greet people, introduce yourself, talk about your family, understand your grandmother on the phone.
79 video lessons Native speaker from Cotonou Lifetime access, one payment
Access the course
Site offer · 80 000 instead of50,000 FCFA
One free trial lesson when you sign up.
Go further
- The Fon video course: see the program — 79 lessons with a native speaker from Cotonou, taught in French
- What is your Fon level? — the free 15-question test