Benin
In Benin, worshippers of Voodoo, a religion that worships gods and natural spirits, have gathered to pay their respects to the deities.
The meeting takes place on the beach in Ouidah, a former slave trading hub, by the Atlantic Ocean.
Mami Wata is the most revered deity.
Lydia Bourgade is a tourist and followed the ceremony from a distance.
"It's interesting for me since it's the first time I've seen this, so it's my first festival. I hope I will learn a lot about what Voodoo is and the different branches it can have", sha said.
Mami Wata represents the sea goddess of fertility and beauty. Most of the worshippers on the beach are women.
"I have been worshipping the deity Mami for 55 years. Mami is a Voodoo deity who lives in the sea, but not just any sea. She is called Mami, the provider of wealth, and she resides in the sea", said Gnikplin Hounon Eveole, dignitary and worshipper of Mami Wata, the Goddess of the Sea.
Today, voodoo religion has around 50 million followers worldwide. Most followers live in Brazil, Haiti and the US southern state of Louisiana.
Go to video
Tunisian Jews scale back annual pilgrimage to ancient synagogue because of security concerns
02:04
Pope Francis invites faithful to pray for people caught in wars
01:29
Nigeria: Muslims mark end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr prayers
01:51
Muslims in Cameroon observe Ramadan with welcoming tradition
01:30
Zimbabwean prophet charged in court over child labor
Go to video
Kenyan university accused of forcing Muslim students to attend church