Lifestyle
Photos of Benin’s traditional mask festival as ancient customs come alive
PORTO NOVO, Benin (AP) — A traditional mask festival in Porto Novo, Benin, showcases the country’s unique face masks and full-body costumes, that are tied to ancient customs and traditions.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
People dress in costumes and dance during the mask festival in Porto Novo, Benin , Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
People dress in costumes attend the mask festival in Porto Novo, Benin , Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
A man dress in costumes dance during the mask festival in Porto Novo, Benin , Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
A man dressed in a costume performs during the mask festival in Porto Novo, Benin , Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
A man dressed in a costume performs during the mask festival in Porto Novo, Benin , Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
People dressed in costumes dance during a mask festival in Porto Novo, Benin , Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
People dress in costumes and dance during a mask festival in Porto Novo, Benin , Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
A man dressed in a costume dances during the mask festival in Porto Novo, Benin , Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
Zangbeto, a Voodoo guardian also known as “guardians of the night,” performs during a mask festival in Porto Novo, Benin , Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)