Ciara is back in Benin, and this time, the moment feels bigger, deeper, and more symbolic than ever. In early January 2026, the Grammy winning singer returned to the country to take the stage at Vodun Days, marking her first major public appearance in Benin since officially becoming a citizen just months earlier.
Her presence carried added weight following her naturalisation in July 2025, which came through a legal framework designed to recognise people of African descent whose ancestors were forcibly taken from the continent during the transatlantic slave trade. Managed through the My Afro Origins platform, the initiative reflects Benin’s broader commitment to remembrance, cultural preservation, and meaningful engagement with the global African diaspora.
Held from January 8 to 10 in the historic coastal city of Ouidah, Vodun Days has become a central part of this vision. The festival reintroduces vodun as a living, contemporary cultural and spiritual heritage, blending traditional ceremonies with modern artistic expression and international participation. Ouidah itself holds deep historical significance as a former slave port and home to memorial sites such as the Slave Route and the Door of No Return, which remain powerful symbols within Benin’s remembrance efforts.
Following her naturalisation, Ciara had previously visited several of these sites, making her return for Vodun Days feel especially personal. Her appearance was part of the festival’s international programme, which in recent years has welcomed global stars like Angélique Kidjo and Davido.
Ciara performed on January 9, delivering a polished and energetic set to a large crowd in Ouidah. With tightly choreographed routines and strong stage production, she commanded the moment, with “Level Up” standing out as a highlight as the audience joined in, turning the performance into a shared celebration.
She attended the festival alongside her husband, former NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, who was visiting Benin for the first time. During the event, Wilson revealed that he had begun the process of applying for Beninese citizenship under the same Afro descendant initiative.
According to corroborating sources, his application is currently being processed through the My Afro Origins programme, which allows eligible applicants to trace ancestral links to sub Saharan Africa and apply for nationality under clearly defined legal and administrative guidelines.
Vodun Days 2026 formed part of Benin’s wider strategy to position cultural heritage and historical remembrance as key pillars of its cultural identity and tourism development. For Ciara, the moment represented more than a performance. It was a return, a reconnection, and a powerful symbol of how history, culture, and modern artistry can meet on one meaningful stage.
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