In Benin, the pagne, the traditional loincloth is not a small skirt you wrap around the waist but a piece of cloth that denotes people’s identity. It comes in various shapes and serves many purposes. Each different pagne has its own name and the Obama pagne was all the rage in the streets of Cotonou.

When you discover that the guests of a party, or a ceremony, wear clothing made from the same fabric, you realize that dress is not just a means of communication, but a means to recognize the members of a group.
Knowing how to dress correctly for each occasion is important and you seek advice from the specialists. For example, you’ll ask a mamissi, a voodoo culture priestess, to tell you what to wear to honour the gods.