Porto-Novo, Benin
19 memories from Porto-Novo, Benin
This is a medium shot video of a group of people, mostly young women, dancing. The women are wearing matching blue and white patterned strapless dresses with sashes tied around their waists and shoulders. They are barefoot and appear to be in an outdoor courtyard with a red-brown dirt floor. Behind them is a building with a reddish-brown brick facade and a dark opening, possibly a doorway or entrance. Several people, predominantly men, are standing or sitting in the background, some of whom appear to be filming the dancers with their phones. The lighting suggests it is daytime. The overall atmosphere appears to be celebratory or ceremonial.
Porto-NovoA group of women are seated and clapping their hands. They are dressed in colorful, patterned fabric and some are wearing jewelry. In the foreground, there are several gourds and a musical instrument. In the background, there are more people watching, some tents, and trees. The women appear to be participating in a cultural event or ceremony.
Porto-NovoA group of young women, dressed in matching blue and green patterned wraps, are dancing in a circle. They appear to be in an outdoor setting with a textured, reddish-brown wall behind them adorned with carved or painted figures. Some of the women are looking at each other and smiling, suggesting a celebratory or cultural event. Their skin is glistening, possibly from sweat or water, and they are adorned with jewelry, including necklaces and armbands. The lighting suggests it is daytime.
Porto-NovoTwo figures, dressed in tall, conical costumes covered in layered, reflective fabric pieces, stand facing each other on a dirt ground. The figure on the left is predominantly blue, while the figure on the right is predominantly purple. Their heads are obscured by the costumes, which are tall and tapered, reaching from the ground to above the visible heads. The fabric pieces appear to be square or rectangular, with a patterned design. The figure on the right has dark, visible hands extending from the costume. To the left of the figures, a group of people are seated, some of whom are watching the figures. Behind the figures, there are buildings with red brick and corrugated metal roofs. The sky is overcast.
Porto-NovoA tall, thin figure, covered in patterned fabric scraps, stands in a sandy outdoor area. The figure, which appears to be a costume, is so tall it reaches almost to the top of the frame. It is black at the base and then covered in numerous small, light-pink squares of fabric arranged in a layered, fringe-like manner. A man wearing a blue and white patterned robe walks towards the figure from the right. In the background, a group of people, mostly women and children dressed in blue, are seated on chairs. A sign is visible behind them. A pink building with a red door is on the far right. The sky is overcast.
Porto-NovoA young boy in a striped jersey and shorts walks past a large, cone-shaped structure made of straw. The straw structure has a layered appearance with a smaller, tiered structure on top. It appears to be a costume or effigy. There are white barricades in the background, suggesting a public event or parade. People are visible behind the barricades. The environment appears to be a street with a building in the background and a cloudy sky. The boy is walking from left to right in the frame. The straw structure is stationary.
Porto-NovoThe video shows a person in a very elaborate, colorful costume with large padded shoulders and a tall, ornate headpiece. The costume is covered in intricate beadwork and embroidery featuring stylized animal figures and geometric patterns in shades of turquoise, orange, red, and yellow. The person is standing in an outdoor area with a dirt ground. In the background, there are spectators, some sitting and some standing, observing the person in the costume. The spectators appear to be of various ages and are dressed in casual clothing. There is a white tent structure visible in the background. The lighting suggests it is daytime.
Porto-Novo
Two elaborately costumed individuals, likely participants in a festival or ritual, are seated outdoors in Porto-Novo, Benin. The individual on the left wears a green headdress adorned with shells and beads, a flowing green robe embellished with gold trim and sequins in patterns of animals and flowers, and holds a wooden object in their gloved hand. The individual on the right is similarly attired, with a headdress covered in shells and fabric, a mask-like face with colorful sequins and fringe, and a multi-patterned outfit featuring shells and sequins, including a beaded inscription that reads "JIKE MIJU" across the chest. They wear gloves and intricately decorated shoes. A man in a light blue shirt and jeans stands behind and to the left of the person on the left. In the background, a red-brown building with a corrugated metal roof is visible, along with a green pole with white lettering and other people in the distance, some wearing traditional clothing. The ground is a reddish-brown earth. The sky is clear and blue.
Porto-Novo
In Porto-Novo, Benin, a traditional Egungun masquerade takes place, featuring a costumed individual adorned in a vibrant, heavily embellished outfit. The costume is a profusion of colorful fabrics, primarily red and yellow, with intricate appliqués and fringed borders in shades of brown and gold. A striking headdress, constructed from numerous small white shells, crowns the figure, adding to its imposing presence. The masquerader holds a metallic object that appears to be a sword or blade, and a wooden staff. Standing behind the masquerader, a man in a denim shirt is visible. Further in the background, another young man wearing a patterned t-shirt and red shorts observes the scene, standing near a white tent structure. The ground is composed of reddish-brown earth, typical of the region. The backdrop features a building with an orange-brown textured wall. The sky above is clear and blue.
Porto-NovoThe video captures a lively outdoor event. The focal point is a person in an elaborate, colorful costume, adorned with beads and intricate patterns. The costume is wide and layered, with a distinctive hat featuring a green dragon-like figure and the word "OGIRI" prominently displayed. The wearer's feet, clad in red and yellow shoes, are visible as they move. Surrounding the costumed individual are numerous onlookers, some seated on white chairs under a white tent, others standing. The environment appears to be an open, dusty area, possibly a village square or a community gathering space, with buildings visible in the background. Many people are dressed in traditional African attire, adding to the festive atmosphere. Some individuals in the crowd are holding cameras and phones, recording the spectacle. The overall mood seems to be celebratory and engaging.
Porto-NovoThe video captures a lively outdoor scene featuring a group of people, primarily children and young adults, gathered around a building with the words "ZANGUETO AVLEXETE" visible on its facade. In the foreground, two young men are energetically playing drums. The individual on the left is crouched, rapidly striking multiple drums laid on the ground with drumsticks. The individual on the right stands, also playing a drum. In the background, more people are observing the performance, with some also holding or playing drums. The environment appears to be a dusty, outdoor area with a building and trees visible. The overall atmosphere suggests a cultural or celebratory event.
Porto-NovoThe video captures a vibrant outdoor scene likely in West Africa, possibly Benin or Togo, given the signage in what appears to be Fon language. In the foreground, a young woman with dark curly hair, wearing a white t-shirt and loose patterned pants, performs a dance. She is positioned to the left of the frame, facing slightly right, with her arms bent and hands held out in front of her. To her right, a masked performer, or Zangbeto, dominates the center of the frame. The Zangbeto is elaborately costumed, featuring a tall, pointed mask painted with yellow, red, and green. Its body is adorned with a striped fabric, a green ruffled skirt, and red leggings, all accentuated by large, green, fluffy ankle decorations. The masked figure is in a low, crouched dance posture. The interaction between the woman and the Zangbeto suggests a performance or cultural exchange. Behind them, a crowd of onlookers, predominantly children and adults in casual attire, are gathered, creating a sense of community and shared experience. The background reveals a building with a sign that reads "ZANGBETOR AVLEKETOU," and trees with lush green foliage, indicating an open, possibly rural or village setting under a bright, sunny sky. The ground is composed of reddish-brown earth, common in tropical regions. The overall atmosphere is lively and festive.
Porto-NovoA person in a colorful costume with a mask dances in the center of a dirt area. The costume is primarily green, red, and yellow, with fluffy pom-poms on the feet and wrists. The mask has a yellow face with red lips and green eyes. The dancer has their arms outstretched. In the background, a crowd of people are gathered, some seated and some standing. There are buildings with red walls and tile roofs behind the crowd. Trees are visible on the left side of the frame. The sky is clear and blue. The ground is a reddish-brown dirt. There are shadows on the ground, suggesting it is daytime.
Porto-NovoA ball python is coiled around a person's forearm. The snake has brown and black markings. The person's arm is dark-skinned. In the background, people are visible standing on a sandy or dirt surface. A gold-colored object, possibly a staff or decorative item, is positioned behind the snake.
Porto-NovoA group of people are gathered in a dusty, outdoor area. Two individuals, one wearing a purple and black patterned garment and the other in a blue and white patterned outfit, are dancing in the center. A crowd of onlookers, dressed in various colorful traditional African clothing, observe the dance. Some people are seated on the ground, while others stand. In the background, a building with a red facade and a tiled roof is visible, featuring a mural of a woman carrying a pot. A man in a white shirt and a white cap is standing to the right, looking at his phone, while another person is taking photos. The ground is covered in orange-red dirt. The sky is blue and clear, suggesting it is daytime.
Porto-NovoA person in a wrinkled, elderly mask with white hair and a white goatee stands in the foreground, wearing a black suit jacket, a black and gold tie, a black scarf, and maroon gloves. Behind them, a group of young women in colorful attire appear to be participating in a parade or celebration. One woman in the background wears a bright yellow skirt and a floral top, with a yellow headpiece. Another woman to the left wears a turquoise top and a long yellow skirt, also with a headpiece. The environment appears to be an outdoor street scene with buildings visible in the background. The sky is cloudy.
Porto-Novo
This is a street-level, eye-level shot taken outdoors in Porto-Novo, Benin, under a partly cloudy sky. A procession is underway, with several individuals in colorful attire. In the foreground, a person is wearing a white and yellow costume with a mask resembling the character Ghostface from the Scream movie franchise. This costumed individual is facing the camera and appears to be walking forward. Behind this person, a group of women is also participating in the procession, many of them wearing brightly colored dresses and elaborate headwear. To the left, a woman in a yellow dress with ruffled sleeves is visible. To the right, a woman in a white lace dress with a yellow sash is walking. The ground is paved with interlocking bricks. In the background, there are buildings, some appearing commercial with signage, and streetlights. The overall atmosphere suggests a festive or celebratory event.
Porto-NovoA person in a costume is dancing outdoors. The costume includes a mask with a gold face and dark eyes and lips, a brown floppy hat, a long-sleeved blue sequined top, a multi-colored beaded necklace, and a long white and blue skirt. The person is holding a stuffed animal that resembles a leopard or tiger. To the right of the person in costume, another person is dancing, wearing a dark suit, a black tie, a white shirt, and gloves. They also appear to be wearing a mask or heavy makeup that makes their face pale and their hair blond. The background shows a dirt road with some buildings and trees, and a few other people are visible in the distance. The sky is cloudy.
Porto-NovoA group of people in costumes are walking down a street. In the foreground, a person is wearing a pig mask and a purple and mint green costume. To their left, a woman in a yellow and green costume is dancing. Behind them, other people are walking in colorful outfits, some with masks or elaborate headpieces. The sky is cloudy.
Porto-Novo