The biggest religion of Benin, Voodoo has over 50 million believers in West Africa and further huge followings in parts of the Caribbean, South America and even some regions of the southern United States.

An animistic religion whose roots stretch back thousands of years, its name means ‘god’, ‘spirit’ or ‘power’ in the Fon language; and its followers believe not in the clichés of the living dead, but instead in the power of nature and the natural forces that course through everything.

Although known as a royal city, Abomey is a pleasant place to enjoy a day peering into the recesses of the market and discovering small Voodoo shrines squirreled away up dusty side streets. Those interested in Voodoo culture shouldn’t miss the fetish market, just a short way outside of the town centre – it’s one of the biggest and goriest in the country.

Source :

Brandt Guide to Benin

"Today we paid a visit to one of the more touristic centers of Benin – Abomey. Before reaching the city with its lines of palaces and commonly-visited sites, though, we got to a chance to tour something much less well-known.

Due to some awesome connections that one of our fellow volunteers has, we got to visit a voodoo temple shaped like a chameleon. It’s huge! It's been under construction for the past 6 years, and although there is still much to be completed within it, it looks pretty remarkable. I mean, who doesn’t think walking into the mouth of a chameleon to get into a temple is cool?!

The temple is a private project being financed by a voodoo priest who resides on the outskirts of Bohicon. Its purpose is not to serve as a tourist attraction, but as a place for followers of the Tohouiyo divinity to worship. I'm not too well versed in the theology of all the different deities and spirits within Voodoo, but I can tell you that there are many. Voodoo is a polytheistic religion, and one may find a spirit involved in just about anything.

We had the chance to talk with the voodoo priest who was financing the temple, and he told us that many people claim that different religions – Christianity, Islam, etc. – are all different things. He said that when one understands Voodoo, however, they understand that they are all the same. Everything is a part of Voodoo. For example, he said that the God that one worships in Christianity is also one of the Gods worshipped in Voodoo.

This statement matches up almost to a tee with what I’ve heard when discussing voodoo with other Beninese people as well."

"A voodoo temple shaped like a chameleon. Chameleons

are said to be symbolic of god on earth to most

divinities of voodoo."

Source :

BikeBenin blog

Benin is the birthplace of the Vodun religion, and this temple is an outstanding architectural object. I think it would create a very nice stamp design if adopted.

The Brandt Guide to Benin has an excellent introduction to this ancient religion, and is recommended reading.

Thank you for your comments and support.

Attachments :

* façade

* partial façade and left side view

* the rear and side of the building

* front temple entrance with people for scale reference