Zangbeto Dance and Slave Route tour in Ouidah: Live ceremony

Zangbeto dancers spinning in colorful fibers to traditional drum rhythms

A guided tour of Ouidah that traces the Slave Route from the old market through the Gate of No Return, then moves into voodoo temples and the Sacred Forest before ending with a live Zangbeto dance ceremony. You walk memorial sites tied to the slave trade, explore altars and ritual spaces, and watch the "guardians of the night" perform their protective dance with local community members present.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ouidah's history and culture

• Visit former slave market
• Walk the Slave Route monuments
• See the Gate of No Return
• Explore the Temple of Python
• Visit Sacred Forest of Kpassè
• Take lunch break (not included)
• Attend Voodoo and Zangbeto dance ceremony

The experience

The tour opens at the former slave market in Ouidah, where you begin to trace the history of the transatlantic slave trade through physical sites. From there, you walk the Slave Route itself: a 4-kilometre path that thousands of enslaved people were forced to travel toward the coast. Along this route, you stop at the Tree of Oblivion, where captives were made to circle in a ritual meant to erase their identity; the Tree of Remembrance, reserved for women to preserve the memory of their origins; and monuments marking the collective trauma and resilience of those who endured this ordeal. The route culminates at the Gate of No Return, an imposing monument by the sea inaugurated in 1995. Decorated with frescoes and symbols, it marks the last point where enslaved people crossed before being shipped to the Americas: a place designed for silence, reflection and remembrance.

After the Slave Route, the tour shifts into living spiritual practice. You visit the Temple of Python, a sacred site dedicated to Dangbé, the python deity central to voodoo worship. Inside, you approach and touch pythons considered to embody the spirits of ancestors. Local tradition holds that this contact brings luck and blessings. Next is the Sacred Forest of Kpassè, also in Ouidah, where ancient trees, voodoo altars and ritual sculptures sit within a landscape where nature and spirituality converge. Local guides share the stories and ceremonies tied to the forest, explaining its role in voodoo practice and daily spiritual life.

The tour concludes with a live Zangbeto dance ceremony. The Zangbeto are the "night watchmen" of voodoo tradition: figures completely covered in colored fibers who spin at high speed to the sound of traditional drums. According to local belief, they hunt evil spirits and protect the village. You watch this performance in the presence of voodoo priests and community members, giving you direct access to an active cultural practice rather than a staged demonstration. An air-conditioned vehicle and a local guide in English, Italian or French are included. Lunch is on your own. The tour runs 5 to 7 hours depending on pace and your guide's ability to adapt the day to your interests.

What’s included

• All fees and taxes.
• air-conditioned vehicle with pickup.
• local guide.
• bottle of mineral water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Child (10 to 17 years) · Infant (under 10)

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Miabétour

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to move through three distinct layers (slave trade history, voodoo temples, and a live Zangbeto ceremony) in one day, rather than piecing together separate visits on your own.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 17 years); Infant (under 10).

What is the Slave Route in Ouidah and what do you see along it?

The Slave Route is a 4-kilometre historic path through Ouidah that enslaved people were forced to walk toward the coast. You visit the Tree of Oblivion, where captives were made to circle in a ritual to erase their identity; the Tree of Remembrance, a site for women to preserve ancestral memory; and the Gate of No Return, an imposing seaside monument marking the final departure point before forced transport to the Americas. Monuments and memorial sites along the route commemorate the pain and dignity of those who endured this history.

What happens during the Zangbeto dance ceremony?

The Zangbeto are "guardians of the night" in voodoo tradition: figures completely covered in colored fibers who spin at high speed to the rhythm of traditional drums. According to local belief, they hunt evil spirits and protect the village. You watch this live performance in the presence of voodoo priests and community members, experiencing an active cultural practice rather than a rehearsed show.

Can you touch the pythons at the Temple of Python?

Yes, the Temple of Python allows you to approach and touch the sacred pythons kept there. Local tradition holds that these snakes embody the spirits of deceased ancestors, and interaction with them is believed to bring luck and blessings. The temple is a central site in voodoo worship dedicated to Dangbé, the python deity.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included in the tour, so you'll have a break to eat on your own. The tour provides an air-conditioned vehicle, a local guide, and a bottle of mineral water.