The Voodoo cradle

Without a doubt, Benin is the birthplace of Voodoo. One of the fascinating facts about Benin is the voodoo cradle. The natives have given the area the name Vodun, which means "spirits." The five divine elements that regulate the entire universe are at the heart of Voodoo. I'd want to stop you right there before you start thinking dark magic and voodoo dolls. The ceremonies held here do not mirror the warped picture typical in Hollywood films in America and Europe.

The worship of the snake practiced here is one of the key characteristics that many people would find unsettling and frightening. Allada, the progenitor of Kings, created this religion in the 13th century. Later, slave ships from West Africa brought voodoo to the Caribbean and Brazil. Only one country in the world recognizes voodoo as an official religion, and that is Benin. Vodun is widely used in Benin, where it coexists peacefully with Muslims and Christians. People here think that no matter what God we worship, we can always live in harmony with one another.