OBIRIN International Festival

Named after the Yoruba word for "Woman," the OBIRIN International Festival is West Africa's leading platform celebrating female leadership and artistry in urban culture, street dance, and hip-hop. Created to empower female dancers, choreographers, MCs, and DJs, this dynamic festival transforms Cotonou into an exhilarating stage for creative empowerment.

OBIRIN convenes top-tier dancers and performers from across ten African and European nations. Through world-class dance battles, choreographic residencies, and impactful panel discussions on gender equality in performing arts, OBIRIN champions artistic excellence and mutual inspiration.

What to expect:

• All-Female International Dance Battles: High-octane breakdance, hip-hop, popping, and krump competitions judged by acclaimed world-champion dancers.
• Choreographic Premieres: Moving live productions blending ancestral Beninese ritual dance vocabulary with contemporary street movement.
• DJing & Graffiti Workshops for Young Women: Introductory masterclasses in audio mixing, turntablism, aerosol muralism, and creative enterprise management.
• Empowerment Panels: Insightful talks on dismantling gender barriers in creative industries and fostering women's economic independence through art.

Planning your trip: Events take place across major cultural venues in Cotonou (Institut Français du Bénin, Le Centre). Book accommodations in central Cotonou or Haie Vive for swift commutes to all festival venues.

Verified sources: OBIRIN International Festival Management and Benin Dance Federation.