Valuing African Humanities for Sustainable Development
Fâ Priest and cultural figure as well as a passionate defender of Beninese traditions, Ardant Prost Djenontin advocates for a contemporary reinterpretation of ancestral knowledge. In his view, history and traditions should not be seen as relics of the past but as strategic tools for the future. In this interview, he reflects on the fundamental role of African cultures in building national identity and their potential as drivers of economic and social development.
“A nation that ignores its history is a nation that does not matter”
Marc Johannes Goudjanou: Mr. Djenontin, you claim that history is essential, even from an economic perspective. What is the connection between memory and development?
Ardant Prost Djenontin: History is the foundation of any national construction. A nation that does not value its past has no weight in the global arena. Look at the world powers: they build their economies on a strong historical narrative. Africa, and Benin in particular, must follow this path. Our traditions, rites, and knowledge are not mere folkloric elements; they contain scientific concepts, social organizations, and economic systems that, if properly utilized, can become major assets. Take the example of Vodun: it is not limited to the spiritual domain; it is also a source of knowledge, a method of governance, and a factor of social cohesion.
“We have a civilizational project, but we must recognize it”
Marc Johannes Goudjanou: How do Beninese traditions contribute to social stability?
Ardant Prost Djenontin: Our societies were governed by a harmonious balance between dynasties, guilds, and spiritual institutions. Royal power was not solely political; it was based on a solid social and cultural foundation. Each community had a specific role: blacksmiths, healers, diviners… This organization ensured the stability and longevity of the kingdom. Even today, our traditional leaders and Fâ priests play a crucial role in social regulation. The Fâ oracle, consulted annually, helps anticipate major challenges and guide collective decisions. Far from being archaic, these practices are proven governance tools that deserve to be rehabilitated.
“The greatest challenge is the loss of our values”
Marc Johannes Goudjanou: In the face of globalization, what are the main challenges confronting our traditions?
Ardant Prost Djenontin: Individualism, greed, and Westernization have altered our way of life. In the past, our economy was based on solidarity, exchange, and self-sufficiency. Today, we are trapped in an economic model that does not suit us. We must relearn how to value our own resources. Take the Egoun cult, for example: beyond its spiritual aspect, it embodies a circular economy system based on textile recycling. Our traditions hold untapped innovations, but we have lost the ability to fully exploit them.
“It is time to reconnect with our own vision of development”
Marc Johannes Goudjanou: How can the revalorization of traditions become an economic lever?
Ardant Prost Djenontin: For too long, we have sought to copy development models that are not ours. Borrowing money to build infrastructure is not enough if we do not simultaneously create our own economic sectors. Imagine if we made Zinli a globally recognized dance or structured Vodun as a true cultural and tourism industry. It would be an enormous economic boon. Development should not be an import but a construction rooted in our realities.
“Our traditions are not a burden but a lever for the future”
Marc Johannes Goudjanou: What message would you like to convey to the Beninese people?
Ardant Prost Djenontin: It is time to shed the inferiority complex and stop seeing our traditions as a burden of the past. They are our strength. Peace begins within families, education is based on the transmission of values, and development emerges from a worldview that is uniquely ours. We have a civilizational project that deserves to be embraced and valued.
Interview conducted by Marc Johannes Goudjanou
Original Article below