Directory of panegyrics of South Benin

The “My panegyric” project, my cultural identity” launched

For the establishment of the directory of panegyrics of South Benin, the Humanist Writers Association (EH) of Benin launched the project “My panegyric, my cultural identity. It was, Friday 7 October 2022 in a local hotel in Cotonou.

Pass on this precious element of Beninese identity and culture to the younger generation. This is the objective of the project “My panegyric, my cultural identity” launched Friday 7 last october. This will contribute to promoting not only the clan panegyrics of the Fon d'Abomey and Mahi de Savalou cultural areas, but also to save them by making them more accessible to the public.

During the launch of the said project, coordinator Camille Sègnigbindé indicated in his presentation that the project will be implemented in three stages. First, the first phase which will be devoted to the identification of panegyrics. Ensuite, the collection which will consist of making the selection of the panegyrics and finally, the last phase will be reserved for the promotion of panegyrics. He added that the project will be implemented over a period of one year at the end of which 20 panegyric holders will be selected. “20 panegyrics will be identified, collected and transcribed in Fon and French”, he said before adding that training is planned for the benefit of 30 young storytellers and slammers on the composition and declamation of panegyrics.

Likewise, to carry out this scientific work, the steering team took steps towards resource people, notably Professors Bienvenu Akoha and Jérôme Alladayè. A mapping mission of the clans of Abomey was also carried out. The steering team also met and exchanged with other resource people such as writers, the scientists, executives of the Cultural Heritage Department and others. The development of such a repertoire of panegyrics will therefore be appropriated by young artists as a source of inspiration and creation and will then be an essential element in the affirmation of cultural identity.. Note that the implementation of the ACP-EU Culture program (West Africa)-AWA is provided by a consortium of two partners. This is the Institut Français (Paris, France) and the Korè Cultural Center (Segou-Mali).

Patrick adjaho