The international scientific symposium “January 10: and after” started this Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at the University of Abomey-Calavi under the theme ” Vodùn in a changing world: From Cartesian pretension to mantic rationality. Organized by the Laboratory of Boology and Integral Development (LaBooID) of Dr. Raymond Coovi ASSOGBA (CAMES lecturer) and sponsored by the multidisciplinary doctoral school Spaces’ Culture and Development (Edp-Ecd) of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Fashs), the said colloquium is part of the dynamics of repositioning vodùn in the heart of the development of Benin and of Africa in general. “One of the greatest challenges of our conference lies in the definition, in the framing and in the exploitation of the epistemological status of the knowledge related to the thought of vodùn” affirmed the president of the scientific committee, Professor Placide F.G.A. CLEDJO, in the opening speech that he delivered at the beginning of the work.
During three days’ more than thirty communications are planned. Four West African universities will be represented through their teachers to give back to Vodùn its epistemological legitimacy. At the opening ceremony, eminent personalities enhanced the image and sacredness of vodùn by their presence. They include Daagbo Hounon Hounan II’ supreme spiritual leader of Vodun who led the opening prayer; His Majesty Agassa Sossa Guèdèhounguè’ successor of the late Venerable Sossa Guedehounguè; King AGONGLO; Professor Jérôme Alladayè’ historian of religions who delivered the inaugural communication on the theme: “Benin’ Vodun country;
Also noteworthy is the presence of academics such as Dodji Amouzouvi’ Full Professor/Cames’ Director of the Laboratory of Analysis and Research Religion’ Platform and Development (LARRED); Venerable Alphonse GAZOZO DANSOU’ President of the National Union of Traditional Doctors and Intellectuals of Benin (Synamitrab); Professor Félicien AVLESSI’ Rector of the UAC; Professor Maxime da CRUZ’ Honorary Rector of the UAC; and Médard Dominique BADA’ Full Professor of Linguistics’ King of Abomey-Calavi Without forgetting the Deans’ Vice-deans’ Directors of entity and Heads of Department. All this under the supervision of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS) represented by Professor Ansèque GOMEZ COAMI. The work of this symposium continues until Friday and a large audience is expected to learn in detail, the realities on the vodùn
