Nothing Can Force the Buffalo to Take off His Tunic

The Royal Palaces of Abomey serve as a living symbol of post-colonial identity, integrating spiritual practices with architectural and urban space. Research highlights how royal Vodun worship ceremonies—including daily libations at palace tombs, large annual tributes to pre-colonial kings, and the rare Gandaxi ritual—reinforce cultural continuity. Key to this are temples linked to the tohosu, spiritually empowered descendants of deformed royalty, and the dadassi, female royal guardians who oversee sacred altars. These elements collectively facilitate spiritual renewal while preserving Dahomey’s pre-colonial heritage amid modern contexts.

Larsen, L. E. (2023). Nothing Can Force the Buffalo to Take off His Tunic. Dahomey’s Royal Architecture, 139–171. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003297383-6