CAPE MINSTREL CARNIVAL JANUARY 1-2, 2007 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA Though better known as the Cape Coon Carnival, the Cape Minstrel Carnival does not celebrate a ringed North American ursine. In the 19th century, minstrels from antebellum America performing in blackface inspired “Cape coloureds” – newly freed from slavery – to dress up in whiteface in mockery of their former masters. Performing songs and dances in colorfully costumed troupes, it was a light-hearted but defiant proclamation of their identity during the decades of apartheid repression. A hundred years ago the parades and marches became organized into a competition, and today it is still quite a spectacle. NATIONAL VODOUN FESTIVAL JANUARY 10, 2007 OUIDAH, BENIN The religious system of Vodoun, more familiar to us as Voodoo, began in this corner of the world. Ouidah, the old slave port of Benin, is its center. Here, Vodoun enjoys official status along with Christianity and Islam, and years ago the government gave the once-banned religion a national holiday that draws the faithful from neighboring countries as well as the Americas. Festivities center on various sites in Ouidah with names straight out of Indiana Jones: the Sacred Forest, the Temple of Serpents and the Door of No Return. Your chances of running into zombies or even finding a voodoo doll are slim, but the animal sacrifices, bats in the trees, pythons and frenetic dancing all lend the proceedings a distinctly creepy vibe. PANAFRICAN FILM AND TELEVISION FESTIVAL FEBRUARY 24 TO MARCH 3, 2007 OAUGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO Lost your credentials to Cannes? Trade your Learjet for a moped and head for Oaugadougou instead! Every odd year (you’ll have to wait for 2007) the capital of Burkina Faso goes movie-mad when the continent’s largest film festival comes to town. Last year, as festival-goers dashed to grab spots under the shade, two people were trampled, which may help explain why star-sightings are few and far between at this event. This may not be Cannes, but the 2007 festival will be the big 20th edition, which should be as exciting as ever.