Today is Traditional Day, a public holiday in Benin. Also known as Traditional Religions Day or Voodoo Day, it is a day to celebrate the religion of Vodoun.
Vodoun (also spelled Vodon, Vodun, Vodou, Voudou, Voodoo) is an ancient religion that originated in the West African kingdoms of Fon and Kongo. The Fon kingdom was located in what is now southern Benin and the coastal city of Ouidah in Benin is regarded as the birthplace of Vodoun and remains a focal point for celebrations on Traditional Day.
Each year, on Traditional Day, thousands of followers from Benin and beyond will descend on the beach in Ouidah for the annual festival.
Attendees stay in tents with colourful flags representing different sects of the religion. Beginning with the slaughter of a goat in honour of the spirits, the festival is filled with prayers, libations, singing and dancing.
Vodoun is the source of the Voodoo religions practiced in Haiti and other parts of the Western hemisphere; its traditions travelled to the new world when many West Africans were displaced during the slave trade. Vodoun was officially declared a religion in Benin in 1996. About 17% of the population of Benin, some 1.6 million people, follow Vodoun.
Today is the birthday, in 1945, of British rock and pop singer and songwriter Rod Stewart. He was a member of The Hoochie Coochie Men, Steampacket, Shotgun Express, Jeff Beck Group, the Faces (UK No.6 & US No.17 single ‘Stay With Me’). As a solo artist he had the 1971 UK & US No.1 single ‘Maggie May’, plus five other UK No.1’s and over 35 Top 40 hits and 10 No.1 albums. His 1971 debut album Every Picture Tell’s A Story was the first album ever to simultaneously be No.1 in the UK and US. Stewart has eight children, by five mothers. In reference to his divorces, Stewart was once quoted as saying, “Instead of getting married again, I’m going to find a woman I don’t like and just give her a house.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbI_awR4CKE
