Haut Conseil National Vodun Hoxo Sika: Bénin Interdiction Mendicité Jumeaux

• Benin's Haut conseil national du Vodun Hoxo Sika has banned begging in the name of twins.
• The decree, made public on October 5, 2026, prohibits soliciting material or financial support for the twin cult in public.
• It also forbids practitioners, adherents, and dignitaries from disseminating twin cult rituals or consultations.
• The ban specifically targets those who exploit the twin cult for financial gain, including "false mothers of twins."
• Violators will face legal sanctions under existing Beninese law.

Any individual found to be in breach of these prohibitions will face the full force of the law and the penalties stipulated by current legislation in the Republic of Benin.

The Haut conseil national du Vodun Hoxo Sika in Bénin has officially prohibited the practice of mendicancy conducted in the name of twins. This significant decree, announced via a public communiqué on October 5, 2026, targets a widespread custom where individuals solicit material and financial contributions from citizens. These solicitations typically occur in public areas, including bustling cities, quiet villages, and various public gathering places, all under the guise of supporting the traditional twin cult, known locally as "culte jumeaux Bénin." The council's directive specifically aims to halt the exploitation of this cultural reverence for personal monetary gain.

This measure specifically addresses individuals often referred to as "false mothers of twins," who have frequently engaged in these fundraising activities across the nation. The council's action aims to curb what it perceives as exploitative practices associated with the veneration of twins, ensuring that traditional beliefs are not misused for personal gain or to impose on the public. The "décret Vodun Hoxo Sika" marks a clear and decisive stance against the commercialization of this deeply rooted cultural and spiritual practice within Beninese society.

Beyond merely prohibiting direct financial solicitation, the new directive from the Haut conseil national du Vodun Hoxo Sika extends its reach to other aspects of the twin cult. The council has explicitly forbidden any person, including practitioners, dedicated adherents, or respected dignitaries, from disseminating consultations or rituals related to the twin cult. This comprehensive "interdiction culte jumeaux Bénin" indicates a broader effort to regulate how the twin cult is practiced and propagated throughout the country, moving beyond just the act of begging.

The ban on disseminating rituals suggests a strategic move to control the public expression and potential commercialization of these spiritual practices, which could otherwise be exploited. This particular aspect of the decree underscores the council's intent to prevent the misuse of religious or traditional authority for financial benefit, thereby safeguarding the authenticity and integrity of the Vodun Hoxo Sika traditions and their spiritual significance for the community.

The communiqué issued by the Haut conseil national du Vodun Hoxo Sika includes a stern warning regarding non-compliance with the new regulations. Any individual found to be in breach of these prohibitions will face the full force of the law and the penalties stipulated by current legislation in the Republic of Benin. This emphasizes the serious legal ramifications for those who continue to engage in prohibited mendicancy or the unauthorized dissemination of twin cult rituals, highlighting the government's commitment to enforcement.

The "sanctions mendicité Bénin" are designed to act as a significant deterrent, ensuring widespread adherence to the council's decree and protecting the public from fraudulent or exploitative practices. For legal professionals and compliance officers, this development necessitates advising clients, particularly those involved in traditional or religious practices in Benin, to immediately cease soliciting funds or disseminating rituals related to twin cults to avoid legal sanctions under this new decree. The council's firm stance highlights a commitment to upholding legal order and protecting citizens from exploitative practices, reinforcing the rule of law in traditional contexts.

Lawyers and compliance officers must advise clients, especially those involved in traditional or religious practices in Benin, to immediately cease soliciting funds or disseminating rituals related to twin cults to avoid legal sanctions under the new decree from the Haut conseil national du Vodun Hoxo Sika.

Source: Reporting based on official communiqué from the Haut conseil national du Vodun Hoxo Sika.