Abomey – The city where the religion of Voodoo is still alive

And why is Abomey so interesting? Apart from its unique culture, which is quite distant from Europe, there are the clay royal palaces, which were included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. However, after a tornado damaged some of the buildings, they were removed from the list in 2007. The palaces are decorated with painted and carved reliefs that tell the history of the Kingdom of Dahomey. The complex also includes an exhibition and barracks of the Amazons, women who served in the army and played a key role in the kingdom's defense. This exhibition is particularly valuable for anyone who wants to better understand how gender division and power worked in pre-colonial Africa. These palaces gained significance primarily due to the slave trade in the Gulf of Guinea and the royal dynasty, which was considered one of the most powerful kingdoms in Africa.

If you want to immerse yourself more in the local life, visit the central market. You can buy fabrics, spices, and affordable street food there. You can also support the locals directly in textile and craft workshops, where you can see the craft in practice. 

When visiting Abomey, learning more about the voodoo religion will be an unforgettable experience for you. Benin is the only country in the world where voodoo is recognized as an official religion. If you are lucky, you may have the chance to take part in a traditional voodoo celebration. For the stronger-minded, you can also visit the local fetish market, where, among other things, dead animals are sold for ritual purposes. Symbols of this religion also include various lucky talismans, which you can take home from Abomey as souvenirs.

The cultural heritage and traditions of this place, along with the voodoo religion, are so fascinating and different from those in Ostrava and the rest of Europe that Abomey is definitely worth a visit for an experience of a lifetime.