Exactly one week after American singer Ciara was celebrated as one of the first public figures granted Beninese citizenship under the country’s new law for descendants of enslaved Africans, Lauryn Hill landed in Cotonou to trace her roots and participate in a citizenship and ancestry ceremony.¹
Her visit, reported by Media Take Out and Fashion Sizzle on August 3, 2025, described a deeply personal pilgrimage: Lauryn wrapped in brightly patterned vo‑vo cloths, drumming with local percussionists, and sharing moments of reflection with village elders in the company of dignitaries.² The trip coincided with events in Ouidah, the historic port of the Kingdom of Dahomey — now central to Benin’s national reckoning with its slave‑trade past.
Though neither outlet confirmed whether she formally accepted citizenship during the visit, reports state she “discovered her lineage goes back to Benin” and was “returning for ceremony” to further the reconnection process.² The Africa View Facts X‑account echoed the announcement, noting Lauryn “attended a citizenship and ancestry ceremony” in Cotonou.³
Why This Matters
Benin enacted its Afro‑descendant citizenship law in September 2024, allowing individuals over 18 who can prove ancestral links to the transatlantic slave trade to apply for nationality — even without prior African citizenship. Applications accept proofs including DNA reports, oral testimonies, and family records.⁴ Applicants are required to visit Benin at least once within three years of applying.
Ciara’s July 2025 ceremony, the first high-profile case so far, occurred with full state protocols, including statements from President Patrice Talon and Justice Minister Yvon Détchénou praising the initiative as “healing a historical wound… an act of justice, but also one of belonging and hope.”⁴ Benin’s push is widely viewed as part of a broader memorial‑tourism strategy, inviting descendants to return not only in spirit, but as citizens.
Lauryn Hill’s journey could signal growing momentum: artists and diaspora families using heritage platforms like My Afro Origins to reclaim belonging, cultural ownership, and even legal status.
Lauryn’s Journey: Moments Reported
| Highlights | Significance |
|---|---|
| Wrapped in traditional Beninese textiles | Celebratory reconnection with lineage |
| Drumming with percussionists in Ouidah | Symbolic return to land of spiritual rhythms |
| Meetings with local elders and leaders | Honoring generational memory and identity |
| Shared public moments on social platforms | Raising visibility for genealogy-based return |
Fans online have called her return “a full‑circle moment for someone whose music has always centered Black identity, spirituality, and cultural pride.”²
Looking Ahead
Lauryn’s visit opens questions: Will she be added to the small but growing list of Afro-descendant celebrities pursuing dual status under Benin’s law? Will her platform inspire others to explore personal ancestry and return physically, culturally, or even legally?
Whether or not citizenship is granted yet, her presence amplifies the ongoing conversation about diaspora identity, generational memory, and the tangible impact of policy that stitches history back into heritage.
Benin’s model continues to attract attention: with Ghana’s own “Year of Return” movement in 2019 and more African nations adopting similar diaspora engagement strategies, 2025 appears pivotal for this new wave of re‑connection.
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