Benin is a land of contrasts with deep pain and immeasurable beauty, history and progress, tradition and modernity. The warmth of the people reminded me that while history can wound, community can heal. The Beninese people carry their spirituality and past with pride, sharing their stories, their culture, their resilience with open hearts. Whether in Cotonou, Abomey, or Ouidah, I was met with a generosity of spirit that made me feel as though I was not just a visitor, but family.
And then there is the land itself; breathtaking in its power and serenity. The waves of the Atlantic crash against the shores of Ouidah, carrying secrets, carrying prayers, carrying the protection and comfort of our ancestors. Even the air tastes different here—heavy with salt, with memory, with something unspoken yet deeply understood. Every step I took was a conversation with history, with self, with something divine.
Standing before the towering Amazon Women statue in Cotonou, I was reminded of the unyielding strength of the women who fought for their people, their land, their dignity. The Dahomey Amazons, fierce warrior women of Benin’s past, defied colonial rule and defended their kingdom with unmatched bravery. Their legacy stands tall- not just in bronze and stone, but in the spirit of every African woman who carries forward their resilience. It was a moment of awe, of pride, of deep reverence for the power of Black womanhood and resistance. The story is not without its complexities and all things can be true.
Ganvié, the extraordinary water village built entirely on stilts is a place of survival and ingenuity. Ganvié was formed centuries ago by the Tofinu people as a refuge from slave catchers. Seeking safety from the brutal raids of the Dahomey Kingdom and European traders, they built an entire community on Lake Nokoué, beyond the reach of those who sought to steal their freedom. To this day, Ganvié thrives, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. As I glided through the village on a boat, watching life unfold on the water, I was struck by the profound beauty of a people who turned adversity into innovation, crafting a life of dignity and autonomy on the very waters that once threatened them.
Above all, being in Benin, is where I’ve felt the closest ancestral connection in Africa. To walk this land knowing my ancestors walked it before me, to breathe in the same air, to place my hands upon the same earth, Hallelujah! I stood where thousands stood before me, felt the pull of something far greater than myself, and knew with certainty that I was meant to be here. That we, as a people, were meant to return, to remember, to reclaim.
Until next time… with so much love.
