• Visit date: January 08 2019
• The visited post office: La Poste Direction Générale Poste Du Benin in Cotonou and the post office in Grand-Popo
• Cost of sending mail:  Europe 600 XOF, rest of the world 700 XOF
• Postcard availability: Cotonou Sonaec Librairie and Cotonou museums shops
• Postcard delivery time: Fastest- 20 days to France

Benin is a narrow, West African country bordered by Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Niger, with a short coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Formerly known as Dahomey, it gained independence from France in 1960 and adopted the name Benin in 1975. Its official language is French, and its political capital is Porto-Novo, while the seat of government is in Cotonou, the largest city. Rich in history and culture, Benin is widely known as the birthplace of the Vodoun (Voodoo) religion and for the powerful Kingdom of Dahomey, which shaped much of the region’s past.

A Brief Overview of Benin’s Postal History

Benin’s postal history is closely tied to its political journey—from a French colony to an independent West African nation. The country’s first stamps were issued in 1899 under the name Dahomey, followed by a period using French West Africa stamps between 1944 and 1959. After gaining independence in 1960, Dahomey began issuing its own stamps again, now reflecting a national identity. In 1975, with the country’s renaming to the People’s Republic of Benin, the stamps changed once more to reflect the new republic.

Sources: Benin Wikipedia Postal history Kersti Kaljulaid Benin, Postcardsmarket, Fete du Vodoun,

My Benin Post Office (Sort Of)…. When Voodoo trumps the Postal Service

Last week, I wrote about our visit to Brunei and its stilt village. In Benin, we also visited a stilt village on a lake by boat. However, the highlight of our trip to Benin wasn’t the stilt village – and, I’ll admit, it wasn’t even the post office. Because our trip coincided with Benin’s famous Voodoo Festival, this event took center stage. Sorry, post office fans, but even I had to admit this was more important.

The Fête du Vodoun

The Fête du Vodoun, also known as Vodun Days, is an annual celebration held every January 10th in Ouidah, Benin. It honors the official recognition of the Vodoun religion in 1996. It is one of the country’s most important cultural and spiritual events. The festival features traditional ceremonies, drumming, dancing, colorful costumes, and gatherings at the historic Door of No Return, drawing people from across Benin and around the world.

The grandstand of festival was erected on sand overlooking a huge parade ground filled with performers dressed in vibrant colors. Even the locals who came to watch wore colorful traditional clothing. Entire families often dressed in fabric from the same roll. Benin is famous for its cotton cloth production.

But let’s get back to the postal theme. This time, the postal experience came to me at the festival. The event was drawing dignitaries from all over, and I overheard that Benin’s President Patrice Talon himself was expected. That’s when inspiration struck! Andry, always prepared, had thought ahead and had postcards featuring President Patrice Talon printed in Estonia, just in case. Seeing that postcard, the idea of actually getting it signed by the president suddenly seemed possible, and very exciting! Ready for anything, I was prepared for a presidential encounter in a beautiful yellow dress made locally in Benin.

So, midway through the festivities, with performers and dignitaries alike settled into their roles, I approached a security guard to ask where I could find the president and if it might be possible to get his autograph. The first guard, without pausing to listen, simply pointed me towards another man. This second man turned out to be from the president’s office. “Ah, Estonia! Your President Kersti Kaljulaid visited us a month ago.” Unfortunately, the president Talon wasn’t present at that moment, but the Foreign Minister was. Rather unexpectedly, I was then guided to the front of the grandstand, to the section where the VIPs were seated, and told to ask the Foreign Minister if he could help arrange the president’s signature. Feeling a bit like I was being propelled forward against my will, and with no graceful way to turn back, I headed towards the middle of the row where the minister was sitting.

As I navigated the narrow row, guests rose to let me pass, and because it was clear I was on a mission to reach an important figure, I must have looked important myself!I ended up shaking hands and exchanging greetings with almost everyone along the way – a Bonjour, a Merci, and a brief explanation: “I’m from Estonia!” – and so on.

Reaching the Foreign Minister Aurélien Agbénonci, our exchange went something like this: I told him how wonderful it was to be in Benin (absolutely true!), introduced myself as Maret from Estonia, and congratulated him on the wonderful event. He welcomed me, and then, making conversation, mentioned that he had met Estonian President Kersti a month ago, and asked if I knew her. … Seizing the opportunity, I quickly asked for his autograph on a Benin-flag postcard that I happened to have with me. After he graciously obliged, I showed him the postcard of Benin’s president and asked if it might be possible to get that one signed by president. He assured me it was possible and directed me back to their press officer, telling me to leave the postcard and my contact details with him, and they would definitely send it to me

After exchanging more pleasantries and with slightly shaky legs, I made my way back, VIPs rising to let me pass, exchanging more bows and handshakes, and wishing them a wonderful festival. The press officer collected my contact details and he promised to send it as soon as possible, and maybe even include an official photo!

Excited and slightly overwhelmed, but trying to remain composed, I returned to Andry, who, absorbed in watching the Voodoo festival performers, hadn’t even noticed my trek across the grandstand. But I had proof of my VIP encounter – the postcard signed by their Foreign Minister!

Despite the distractions, we did manage to visit two post offices in Benin: La Poste Direction Générale Poste Du Benin in Cotonou and the post office in Grand-Popo. Getting hand canceled date stamps on post offices was no problem at all. All the postcards have also successfully reached their recipients.

While the signed photo from Benin’s president is still on its way, it’s not the destination that counts, but the journey. After all I have a signed postcard to prove I was there. The people I met, the handshakes exchanged, and the absurdity of it all made this a truly special experience.

If you’d like to read future entries from this post office diary, you can subscribe here.