Ciara Makes Her Return to Benin for Vodun Days in a Special Homecoming

Ciara has returned to Benin, this time taking the spotlight on a grander stage. The acclaimed singer, who won a Grammy, made her way back to the nation in early January 2026 to showcase her talent at Vodun Days, marking her first significant public engagement in Benin since she became a citizen.

Her naturalization took place in July 2025, facilitated by a legal provision aimed at acknowledging the heritage of individuals of African descent whose ancestors were forcibly removed from Africa during the transatlantic slave trade. The initiative, managed through the My Afro Origins platform, is part of a wider governmental effort to blend remembrance, cultural preservation, and connections with the diaspora.

The Vodun Days festival, which ran from January 8 to 10, 2026, in Ouidah, is one of the programs associated with this initiative. The festival was designed to promote vodun as a living cultural and spiritual legacy by uniting traditional rituals, entertainment, and global participation. Ouidah, historically a slave port, plays a pivotal role in Benin's commemoration efforts, with landmarks like the Slave Route and the Door of No Return frequently highlighted within this context.

Following her citizenship, Ciara had previously visited various memorial sites. Her presence at Vodun Days 2026 was part of the international array of acts featured, which also included renowned artists such as Angélique Kidjo and Davido in recent years.

On January 9, she performed on the second day of the festival to a sizable crowd in Ouidah. The performance was marked by well-choreographed routines and a meticulously organized stage presence, with her track “Level Up” eliciting an enthusiastic response from the audience as they joined in the festivities.

Ciara attended the celebration with her husband, former NFL player Russell Wilson, who was experiencing Benin for the very first time. During the Vodun Days event, Wilson revealed his intent to begin the process of applying for Beninese citizenship within the same Afro-descendant framework.

Sources confirm that Wilson's application is being handled through the My Afro Origins program, which provides eligible candidates the means to establish ancestral connections to sub-Saharan Africa and apply for nationality following set legal and administrative guidelines.

Vodun Days 2026 reflects Benin's ongoing commitment to integrate cultural heritage and historical remembrance into its tourism and cultural strategies.