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Benin

A life-size replica of a slave ship graces the Marina Project in Benin.

Benin is building a theme park to remember slavery — is history up for sale?

History

The Marina Project in Benin could lead to a better understanding of the transatlantic slave trade. But critics say that the commodification of heritage may debase the experiences of painful pasts.

The US Treasury Department building is shown from above with its large Greek columns marking the entrance.

Treasury, Commerce departments hacked; Canada receives first COVID-19 vaccine shipment; Hong Kong court denied bail for Jimmy Lai

Top of The World
A black and white photograph of musician Shirazee wearing a traditional hat and looking up.

‘African in New York’: Shirazee’s personal twist on an iconic song by Sting

Global Hit
Three large royal statues of the Kingdom of Dahomey

Benin negotiates with France to return precious objects taken during colonial war

Arts
A man in medical scrubs writes onto a wooden cross

DR Congo has been fighting Ebola for a year. What does the WHO declaration change?

Health & Medicine
A little girl looks into a vodun convent in Togo.

Vodun children in Togo must dedicate their lives to the convent

Religion

In vodun, an African religion, children are dedicated by their families to a convent and must remain there for life. The kids become the de facto property of the convent, catering to the demands of the priests and priestesses.

360 Staff Pick: Angelique Kidjo

Arts, Culture & Media

On her new album the Beninoise singer-songwriter hops back and forth between traditional West African tunes and western pop (she covers Curtis Mayfield’s ‘Move On Up’ and James Brown’s ‘Cold Sweat,’ among others). And while some listeners may prefer that she tighten her focus a bit, there’s no denying the joy and soulfulness of her […]

1970s Psychedelia: West African Style

Arts, Culture & Media

With perfect BBQ weather already here, it’s an ideal time to dig out your kaftan and get some world music tunes pumping on your stereo. And there’s no one better at making you want to groove and grill than ‘Sir’ Victor Uwaifo. The ‘Sir’ is entirely unofficial, but both he and his fans believe he […]

Singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo

Angélique Kidjo defied the school of hard knocks to become the knock-out musician she is today

Music

Angélique Kidjo, the Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter from Bénin, experienced the difficulties of being a woman in the music industry firsthand. She’s channeled her international success into activism by campaigning for girls’ education in Africa.

A Chadian soldier during a battle against insurgent group Boko Haram in Gambaru, Nigeria, February 26th 2015. Gambaru lies on the border with Cameroon.

Nations launch an international campaign against Boko Haram, as it pledges allegiance to ISIS

Conflict

The Nigerian Islamic extremist group Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the ISIS movement on Saturday. At the same time, a regional coalition of powers is intervening to help Nigeria. The US is taking a back-seat, but is intensifying military training programs and some other forms of assistance.