Local traditions and culture in Benin

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The flag of Benin was first adopted on 16 November 1959, but was not actually flown until 1 August 1960. Strange enough. It was re-adopted on August 1, 1990. A bit of a strange story. Benin gained independence from France 1960, as the Republic of Dahomey, the name of a medieval African kingdom. On November 30, 1975 a Marxist coup saw the country renamed the People's Republic of Benin and a new flag was adopted. The new flag was simply a green flag with a red star in the left hand or hoist side. Following multi-party election the ‘old’ flag was reintroduced on August 1, 1990 and the country was renamed simply the Republic of Benin.

The flag is comprised of a green vertical band at the hoist (left side) and two horizontal colors of yellow over red. The 3 Pan-African colors (open to interpretation) symbolise:

Green – Hope, or palm trees
Yellow – Wealth or the savannahs of Benin
Red – Courage or the blood of ancestors

I was surprised to see on the bathroom door of my room in Natitingou, a poster explaining how to use a condom with pictures and a pocket containing 3 free condoms.
It seems the government are, admirably, taking Aids and sexually transmitted diseases seriously and encouraging the use of condoms.
I found this a little strange and unusual in a tourist hotel…………then I found out some hotels rent the rooms by the hour for use with prostitutes.

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Cotton accounts for about 40% of GDP in Benin and is grown in the North. There is a large movement towards organic cotton production which is better for the health of the farmers and a few international organisations are helping to develop this. Traditionally cotton working was a man’s job but recently more smaller farms and co-operatives have been set up to benefit women.

I didn't have any problems or issues at all in Benin with safety. I didn't walk anywhere alone at night but I did take a few late afternoon walks alone with no hassle at all.
In Grand Popo I walked through the old town, by the river and along the beach and a few people stopped me to ask my name and a few other questions but that's all.
In Cotonou I actually walked down the main road by the port, because I wanted to get a photograph and here nobody bothered me at all.
In the hotels I also never had a problem or felt in a situaion where I wasn't safe. I'm not saying you should take risks, but I felt this to be a reasonably safe and friendly country.

Despite the variety and abundance of food I was offered, and tried, in Benin I never saw Duck on a menu. I even ate pigeon and saw guinea fowl offered.
When I asked why, in a country with so many lakes and rivers, Duck was not a popular dish I was told that Ducks are sacred and it is not common to eat them. If ducks are crossing the road, drivers will stop to let them across.
In a country where most animals are eaten or sacrificed for Voodoo you really would choose to be a duck!

There are many proverbs in Benin. They were used by the elders to educate younger people and pass down their wisdom of daily life. Historically the proverbs would be illustrations rather than written. The proverbs of the kings were shown on the top of their Asen, the metal poles they carried.
The proverbs are well documented in the museums - one of the best displays is the huge applique in the museum in the old Portugese Fort in Ouidah.
Some examples are -
PICTURE: A cat eating a fish. MEANING: Do not employ a cat to sell fish - beware of the self interest of those you employ to do a job for you.
PICTURE: 2 birds trying to put their heads into a small pot. MEANING: There can only be one captain of a ship.
PICTURE: A drum and an angry spectator. MEANING: If you invite the drummer don't complain about the music.
PICTURE: An egg. MEANING: Your words are like an egg. Once they break you cannot take them back so think before you speak.

Drums were, and still are to an extent, an important method of communication in Benin and West Africa.
The drums were used in all important ceremonies – Voodoo ceremonies, funerals, praising the kings and communication with the ancestors. As well as important events they were used for everyday communication, for example to warn of a snake in the village.
The drums were constructed to imitate the sounds of the languages of the Fon and the Yoruba tribes and could be heard for many miles around.
There are different types of drums of various sizes. The Soto drum is very tall and the drummer has to jump up to play it. It was used to tell people of a death. The bereaved played with the right hand for the death of his/her father and the left hand for the death of his/her mother.
The serpent God Dan, one of the most popular gods, has his own drum played in his honour.
You can see examples of Fon and Yoruba drums in the museums in Porto Nuovo and Abomey, and if you are lucky enough to see a Voodoo ceremony you can see them being played.

The Asen is the metal pole with a decorative top that the Kings used to carry with them and it represents the ancestors.
Every year in Porto Nouvo descendants of the kings gather in front of the collection of Asen and hold a ceremony in honour of the ancestors. Each King had his own special Asen with a motto which is represented in the decorative top of his Asen.
King Akaba’s motif was a chameleon representing getting to the top of the tree, King Tegbesu’s motif was a buffalo to say that nobody can remove his coat, King Agadja saw the Europeans arrive during his reign and his motifs were a hut, a calabash and a cross to say accept other religions but don't forget the traditional religion.