Animation of the Temple of Pythons of Ouidah : Cultural mediation managed by qualified personnel

The tourist offers of Destination Benin are diversified ; ecological, seaside, religious ; they also bear the mark of a rich cultural tourism based on Vodun, of which the Temple of the Pythons of Ouidah represents one of the most obvious sanctuaries and is part of a mediation policy meticulously carried out by qualified personnel who are supported by bearer communities. Let's discover in this article these cultural mediators of Dangbé-Xwé.

They ensure the administrative and financial management, cultural mediation, the safety of people and property, the promotion and enhancement of the heritage elements and goods available to the Temple of Pythons of Ouidah. They receive and inform visitors to the Temple of Pythons and spare no effort to satisfy the needs and aspirations of tourists.. Those we talk about, it is the staff in charge of the management of this institution whose functions are multiple : sacred forest, touristic site, place of memory, school museum for the heritage of Dangbé Xwédah (Ouidah Python Temple).

The management of the Temple of Pythons of Ouidah is the responsibility of the agents and holding communities. The former constitute the active staff, daily at the front to meet the needs of visitors. They officiate to ensure the safety of visitors and users of the Temple. They welcome visitors, provide them with information on the conditions of visit, present to them the goods and elements of the temple, allow them to live an exceptional experience during their stay within the institution and finally assist them in the purchase of souvenir items. According to the manager of the Temple of Pythons of Ouidah, Mr Modeste ZINSOU, about fifteen agents work to animate this cultural facility. To listen to it, we understand that the roles of agents are varied. According to him, there are two security guards, a receptionist, four site guides including a woman, three owners of the souvenir shop, two managers who take care of the coordination of the agents. He specifies : “We have initiated reforms to put in place a young staff, qualified and experienced in the task". “The guides are qualified technicians in guiding and heritage at the University of Abomey-Calavi and at the School of African Heritage” confides – t- he before concluding "all the agents in service at the Temple of Pythons of Ouidah are under employment contract, regularly receive their monthly salary which is well above the SMIG”. These remarks are confirmed by Mrs DEHI Estelle, owner of a souvenir shop who adds that "In the treatment of the agents of the Temple of Pythons of Ouidah, particular attention is paid to the motivation of each other and the atmosphere is friendly in the rigor and accountability of each actor ». The agents stationed at the Temple of Pythons in Ouidah are organized and hierarchized according to a hybrid governance model that combines participatory logic and that of subordination..

This model applied with meticulousness and fairness is concocted by the administrator appointed by the communities holding the Dangbé-Xwé that are ADJOVI AKANKOTOGLONOU, AGBO ATAKPALOKO et ZOUSSOUNGBO. This is Mr. Eloi AGBO. Spokesperson for the management team and spokesperson for the local authorities, the director admits that the accomplishment of his mission, he has the assistance and support of the manager and the priests of the Temple. He declares : " My mission, is to register the governance of the Temple of Pythons of Ouidah in the quality. Quality matters to us, because our site has had the UNESCO Label and we have the obligation to honor this recognition ».

Is the management of the Temple of Pythons of Ouidah in the right hands and entrusted to actors aware of their mission? ? Everyone can make up their own mind to answer this question from the light of the information covered by this article.. In all cases, the cultural institution lives, modernizes and maintains its place as one of the most visited tourist sites in Benin.

Damien TOLOMISSI