Politics of Benin takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Benin is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system.
The Voodoo Festival popularly known as the National Voodoo Dayis the major festival in Benin that attracts thousands of followers to Ouidah. The festival is held in January every year at a beach and people in colourful local dress dance, drum and pray while animals are slaughtered in rituals.
Songs and dances are a part of the social fabric of Benin and celebrate joyous events such as festivals, childbirth, rites of passage, or occasions of sorrow such as mourning of the dead.