Upon satisfactory completion of the initiation
rites, the consecration and intensive training in the
convent, the Vodunsi returns to the world of Kóssi
(“laypeople or noninitiates”). Among other
important recommendations the Hunnon imposes
on the Vodunsi are the cultivation of brotherhood
and sisterhood with other Vodunsi and deep love
and respect for the Vodun. As a chosen servant of
the Vodun, the Vodunsi commands respect in tra-
ditional society and is sometimes feared as well.
Some grave offenses, such as adultery committed
by the Vodunsi or the nonrespect of the solemn
vow taken upon arrival in the convent, can lead to
excommunication. The Vodunsi may indeed be
either a male or female adept, yet only women are
said to commit adultery.
Vodun in Benin TodayAlthough Vodun has never lost its significance
per se in the Republic of Benin, when former
president Nicéphore Dieudonné Soglo took office
in 1991, he did more than anyone in the country
to reassert the value of the African traditional reli-
gion and boost its image in the country. He trans-
formed the Vodun religion into a fully recognized
national religion on an equal footing with the two
major foreign religions also practiced in the coun-
try—Christianity and Islam. Vodun has regained
its vitality, and derogatory words such asanimism
andSatanismused to refer to the religion have
given way to the proper term,Vodun.
Upon President Soglo’s initiative and vision, a
5-day symposium of various leaders of the Vodun
religion was held in Cotonou, from May 28
through June 1, 1991. The purpose of the sympo-
sium was to restore the significance of the Vodun
and establish a legal recognition for this tradi-
tional religion, which is so significant in the every-
day lives of Beninese people and other people of
African ancestry worldwide. Following this
historic symposium, a great International Vodun
Festival was organized and held in 1993 in Benin.
This festival, known as “Ouidah 92,” brought
together people of African ancestry from all over
the world, particularly from the continent of
Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean Islands.
Subsequently, January 10 was officially made a
national Vodun holiday, which has been observed
in the country every year since 1993.
His Majesty Hounnongan Hounguè Towanou
Guédéhoungué II of the village Doutou, Benin, is
the current president of the International African
Traditional Religion Community and world co-
president of the Religion for Peace Network.
Similarly, His Majesty Daagbo Hounon
Tomadjlèhoukpon II Mêtogbokandji of the city of
Ouidah, Benin, is the current world paramount
chief of the vodun religion. Consequently, even
with the rampant proliferation of evangelical
churches, Christian denominations, and other sects,
including the Islamic faith in the Republic of Benin
today, the Vodun religion remains strong and has a
bright future still ahead. These foreign religions in
the country cannot help starting a genuine dialogue
with Vodun dignitaries and accept to cohabit in a
country that, in fact, encourages religious cohabita-
tion, unity, and equality. Vodun permeates every
aspect of Beninese life, including politics, to the
point that some critics have observed that in the
Republic of Benin, the population is composed of
60% Christians, 40% Muslims, and 100% Vodun
followers. This was to demonstrate that, although
some Beninese may want to demean the Vodun reli-
gion under the guise that they are Christians or
Muslims, Vodun is like all Beninese people’s culture
shadow. The faster these people try to run away
from Vodun, the faster it follows them.Thomas Houessou-AdinSeealsoInitiation; VodunsiFurther Readings
Aguessy, H. (1970). La divinité Legba et la dynamique
du panthéon vodoun au Dan-Home.Cahiers des
Religions Africaines, 7 , 89–96.
Aguessy, H. (1972). Religions africaines comme effet et
source de valeurs de la civilisation de l’oralité.
Colloque de Cotonou, 25–49.
Aguessy, H. (1981). Les dimensions spirituelles: Religions
traditionelles africaines.Présence Africaine, 117 /118,
138–148.
Clochard, B. (Ed.). (1993).Ouidah:Petite anthologie
historique[Ouidah: A Short Historical Anthology].
Cotonou, Benin: FIT Edition.
Gantin, B. (1996). The Universal Values of African
Traditional Religions.Omnis Terra, 30 , 197–202.
Maimela, S. S. (1985). Salvation in African Traditional
Religions.Missionalia, 13 , 63–77.694 Vodou in Benin