American R&B star Ciara has officially become one of the first public figures to receive citizenship of Benin through a new initiative offering nationality to descendants of enslaved Africans. The Grammy award-winning artist shared her excitement in an Instagram post, writing that she was “honoured” and thanking Benin for “opening your arms and your heart to me.”
Ciara, known for chart-topping hits such as Goodies and 1,2 Step, received her citizenship during a ceremony held in Cotonou. The Beninese government described the move as a “symbolic, humane and historic act,” calling it a spiritual return to the roots of those torn away by the brutality of the transatlantic slave trade.
The citizenship program is part of Benin’s My Afro Origins Law, enacted last year to strengthen ties with the African diaspora and promote cultural tourism. The law allows descendants of enslaved Africans to apply for nationality through a dedicated online platform, joining similar initiatives launched by Ghana and Guinea-Bissau.
Benin’s coastline, historically known as the Slave Coast, was one of the main departure points for enslaved Africans shipped to the Americas. Between 1580 and 1727, the Kingdom of Whydah, located in present-day Benin, is believed to have sent over a million Africans to the US, the Caribbean, and Brazil.
The announcement follows Benin’s recent appointment of acclaimed American filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife, producer and author Tonya Lewis Lee, as cultural ambassadors to African-Americans in the US.
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