Vodun & Tourism development in Ouidah : Hubert Dossou-Yovo provides information

A well-illustrated booklet with an evocative title entitled ”Deities with followers and Vodun Sato of Ouidah-Centre : Historical, Identity and Tourism”. This is the new work published by Hubert Olivier Dossou-Yovo.

The Expert Consultant and writer immerses his pen in the cultural and religious realities of this locality and records them for readers. Published on 25 November 2024 by Éditions Book Mag (ISBN. 978-99982-71-86-9, Legal deposit No. 16434 National Library of Benin), the book is prefaced by His Majesty Daagbo Hounnon Houna 2.

From Xevioso to Sakpata via Bossikpon and many others, the book traces the history of the deities to the followers of Ouidah-Centre. As well, does it provide fairly useful information on the Vodun Sato and the families whose cultural and religious identity involves the worship of deities with followers. The author has resolutely turned towards the valorization and highlighting of cultural heritage, cultural and tourist attractions of Benin and other countries in Africa and around the world. A tourist circuit focused on deities with followers is presented and concrete proposals to promote tourism focused on the cultural and especially religious identity of Ouidah-Centre are presented in the book.. This book published a few days before ”Vodun Days”, (celebrated in January) comes once again to remind readers, and the world in general, the importance of involving Vodun in the tourism development process of the whole of Benin.

After his works having revealed the communes of Adjarra de Tori Bossito and the district of Pahou through their tourist potential, Hubert O. Dossou-Yovo has once again demonstrated his attachment to the promotion of the ancestral realities of his country in general and more particularly of his city of origin..

Extract from the preface of His Majesty Daagbo Hounnon Houna 2. “I experienced pleasure and great joy in reading and then adding my particular touches to this scientific work which brings added value to the history of the Vodun of the city of Ouidah. This work is all the more important as it now constitutes a real shield for several actors involved in knowledge, work and teachings on Vodun. This work was written with care and following a fairly convincing scientific and methodological approach that involved grassroots stakeholders”.

I hope that the results of such intellectual work serve as a real pillar for a better promotion of the cultural and religious heritage that is Vodun in the city of Ouidah, can we say.

Arnaud ACAKPO (Coll)