IShowSpeed reacts after being invited to participate in a spirituality ritual in Benin
By Steve Ireri, January 23, 2026American streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr, popularly known as IShowSpeed, has reacted in shock after being introduced to a spiritual ritual during his visit to the West African Republic of Benin.
The streamer arrived in Benin on Friday, January 23, 2026, where he went live on social media as a local tour guide took him to witness the unique cultural ceremony.
The guide explained that the figures he saw, which appeared human, were actually spirits dressed in elaborate traditional costumes and masks that completely concealed their faces.
“So that costume you see there is actually a dead person; it is not a real person moving. We call it the spirit of death,” the guide who Speed was with shared.
The spirits, moving in rhythmic patterns, created an eerie visual as their costumes swung with every step, giving the impression of movement that seemed almost supernatural.
At one point, the figures advanced toward him, prompting the streamer to perform his signature backflip while shouting in disbelief, leaving viewers both entertained and shocked.
“You mean spirit of death? You mean they are dead people dancing, all of those? And now I wonder what happens if you touch them. Oh, I do not want the spirit of death to touch me!” Speed reacted.
The guide confirmed that no one had ever dared to touch the spirits, adding to the tension of the moment.
“I do not know what happens if you touch them. No one has ever done it, and I am too scared to try,” the guide said.
Whirlwind African tour
The Benin livestream followed a whirlwind African tour that officially began in Angola on December 29, 2025. There, IShowSpeed spent several days interacting with fans, exploring city streets, and immersing himself in local culture, livestreaming every moment.
From Angola, he travelled to South Africa, where he was greeted by massive crowds, participated in street performances, and performed his signature backflips in front of ecstatic fans.
His next stop was Mozambique, where he streamed from city streets and coastal areas, joined traditional dancers and acrobats, and praised the country’s vibrant scenery and culture. In Eswatini, he explored local markets, landmarks, and cultural spots, while in Botswana, he went on a jungle safari, interacting with wildlife and sharing the experience with his global audience.
IShowSpeed’s visit to Zimbabwe included city tours, street performances, and fan meet-ups, followed by a brief one-day break before continuing his journey to Zambia.
There, thousands of fans welcomed him, and he explored the capital, received custom artwork from local artists, sampled local cuisine, and even joined children during a karate class.
In Ethiopia, IShowSpeed engaged in street livestreams and cultural tours, showcasing the country’s heritage and connecting with fans. He then spent two days in Kenya, interacting closely with large crowds and livestreaming from several locations, including busy urban areas and local landmarks. Rwanda was also part of the itinerary, where he documented street culture, music, and fan interactions.
His journey then took him to Morocco, where he continued to livestream from city streets, interacted with fans, and participated in local cultural experiences that showcased the richness of the country’s history and traditions.
From Morocco, he travelled to Senegal, where he explored bustling markets, cultural sites, and local performances, sharing the vibrant atmosphere with his global audience.
Before arriving in Benin, IShowSpeed’s penultimate stop was Nigeria, where he marked the milestone of hitting 50 million subscribers on YouTube and celebrated his 21st birthday, receiving a massive reception from fans, engaging in street performances, and livestreaming the excitement in real-time.