Stewardship in West African Vodun: a Case Study of Ouidah, Benin
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University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2010 STEWARDSHIP IN WEST AFRICAN VODUN: A CASE STUDY OF OUIDAH, BENIN HAYDEN THOMAS JANSSEN The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation JANSSEN, HAYDEN THOMAS, "STEWARDSHIP IN WEST AFRICAN VODUN: A CASE STUDY OF OUIDAH, BENIN" (2010). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 915. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/915 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STEWARDSHIP IN WEST AFRICAN VODUN: A CASE STUDY OF OUIDAH, BENIN By Hayden Thomas Janssen B.A., French, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 2003 Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts In Geography The University of Montana Missoula, MT May 2010 Approved by: Perry Brown, Associate Provost for Graduate Education Graduate School Jeffrey Gritzner, Chairman Department of Geography Sarah Halvorson Department of Geography William Borrie College of Forestry and Conservation Tobin Shearer Department of History Janssen, Hayden T., M.A., May 2010 Geography Stewardship in West African Vodun: A Case Study of Ouidah, Benin Chairman: Jeffrey A. Gritzner Indigenous, animistic religions inherently convey a close relationship and stewardship for the environment. This stewardship is very apparent in the region of southern Benin, Africa. The Fon peoples of this region practice a traditional religion termed Vodun, which manifested from the 17th century slave trade, and subsequently migrated to the Caribbean and Americas where it transmuted into Voodoo, among other religions. The migration of pre‐colonial religious canon to the Western Hemisphere has garnered ample study; however, the pioneering religion, Vodun, has received far less scholastic attention, despite Benin’s recognition of Vodun as a national religion. In this thesis, I contend that the Fon exemplify a society that incorporates rites and rituals of their animistic religion into their daily lives expressed through forms of stewardship, particularly as it pertains to the Forêt Sacrée de Kpassé. This fusion of religious tradition with environmental interaction is inseparable, as are the subsequent environmental effects. This thesis discussion entails an investigation of the impacts of Vodun beliefs on environment‐society relations. The results of this study are based upon a qualitative study conducted in the summer of 2009 in Ouidah, Benin. ii Acknowledgements I wish to thank, first and foremost, my Thesis Committee. Drs. Gritzner, Halvorson, Borrie, and Shearer were extremely supportive and provided significant guidance throughout my thesis research and writing processes. Their ability to provide pertinent feedback and the dedication of their time are greatly appreciated. I also wish to thank the residents of Ouidah for their time and energy toward the completion of this project. In particular, I wish to thank Professor Honorat Aguessy, François Aguessy, José Apovo, Père André, Imam Mustapha Adogmejo, Dagbo Hounon, Kpassenon, and all of my interviewees who gave of their time, knowledge, and patience so that I could provide a better representation of their community and religious beliefs. Lastly, I wish to acknowledge the support I received prior to the undertaking of this project from Michel Fiator, Suzanne Preston Blier, and Edna Bay. Their knowledge of Ouidah and their ability to assist me in the facilitation of this research project are greatly appreciated. iii Table of Contents Acknowledgements............................................................................................................... iii Chapter One: INTRODUCTION Introduction ..............................................................................................................................1 Approaches, Methods, and Data Sources.........................................................................5 Preparation...................................................................................................................7 Historical and Geographical Data..........................................................................8 Interview Processes...................................................................................................9 Empirical Processes................................................................................................ 10 Study Limitations..................................................................................................... 12 Chapter Two: RESEARCH SETTING History and Geography ....................................................................................................... 17 Ouidah ......................................................................................................................... 19 Colonial Forts ............................................................................................................ 23 Residents’ Perspectives of Ouidah’s History .................................................. 28 Chapter Three: VODUN Vodun........................................................................................................................................ 38 Vodun Hierarchy...................................................................................................... 39 Origin of Vodun......................................................................................................... 44 Initiation ..................................................................................................................... 48 First Vodun Experience ......................................................................................... 54 Alteration of Religious Ceremonies................................................................... 57 iv Chapter Four: STEWARDSHIP Stewardship............................................................................................................................ 62 Animism...................................................................................................................... 70 Analyzing the Influence of Religion upon Society......................................... 79 Care Ethic.................................................................................................................... 84 Vodunsi Stewardship.............................................................................................. 98 Chapter Five: ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION Environmental Degradation ...........................................................................................115 The Reassessment of Economic Endeavors ..................................................116 Marine Degeneration............................................................................................120 Perceptions of Social and Environmental Change......................................123 Malthusian Dynamics ...........................................................................................128 Chapter Six: THE FORET SACREE DE KPASSE Forêt Sacrée de Kpassé ......................................................................................................131 Protecting the Forêt Sacrée de Kpassé ............................................................135 Corresponding Ramifications............................................................................139 Chapter Seven: CONCLUSION Conclusion.............................................................................................................................142 References.............................................................................................................................150 v Appendices Appendix I – Interview Questionnaire ........................................................................153 Appendix II – Figures.........................................................................................................157 vi Chapter One INTRODUCTION1 Introduction The importance of stewardship in today’s globalized society cannot be overemphasized. In a time when natural resources are becoming scarcer, and the population of the world is growing exponentially, those who actively practice stewardship exhibit care for the earth and its preservation. Religion has been found to play a significant role within this process. It should be a responsibility of scholars and religious leaders to utilize religious doctrine to promote and enable environmental care regardless of religious affiliation. The aim of this study is to illuminate the diverse religious and social factors contributing to ethical, environmental stewardship while accordingly espousing an indigenous land care ethos for Vodunsi, religious practitioners of Vodun around Ouidah, Benin. The three primary objectives of this study are (1) to determine the role that history has played in the evolution of Vodun; (2) to display what types of environmental ethics are applied by Vodunsi to the land, and (3) to determine if the environmental ethics possessed by Vodunsi present themselves as a type of stewardship through their behavior