COUNTRY PROFILE

Benin is the original source of the dark voodoo religion. This blood-soaked land has a history replete with slavery and human sacrifice, and it is difficult to think of any single nation that has had so strong a negative spiritual impact. A long time exporter of spirit worship, idolatrous fetishism and voodoo, Benin is a country languishing in primitive and fearful spiritual bondage; lives held captive to the elemental spirits of the air are everywhere in evidence in this poverty-stricken nation. Animism and ancestor worship so define the culture that even Catholics, who comprise the largest Christian group, will often rush out of mass to perform their sacrifices at family altars. The role of human sacrifice in its history cannot be underestimated. Ancient Dahomian Kings would sacrifice prisoners of war, slaves and criminals to their ancestors. The royal throne of King Guezo was mounted upon the skulls of four enemy kings so that he could flaunt his dominion over them. In Abomey, the royal capital, the aspen house where the spirits of the royal ancestors are venerated has eight inch thick walls built out of clay which is mixed with human blood instead of water. Pray that instead of being known as the "cradle of voodoo" Benin may soon be known as the source of light.

OVERVIEW

Formerly known as Dahomey, Benin has emerged as a beacon of democracy and one of the most politically stable countries in Africa. In the first decade after independence in 1960 the country was ruled by a succession of military leaders until Major Mathieu Kerekou seized power in 1972 and gradually restored civilian rule. Kerekou was defeated in 1991 elections but made a comeback in 1996. Parliamentary polls in 1999 were contested by 35 parties. Benin's shoreline now includes what used to be known as the Slave Coast, from where captives were shipped across the Atlantic. Before being colonized by France towards the end of the 1800's, the area comprised several independent states, including the Kingdom of Dahomey, which had a well-trained standing army and was geared towards the export of slaves and later palm oil. The first years of full independence from France in 1960 were marked by instability, and the initial years of Kerekou's rule featured Marxism-Leninism as the official ideology. However, during the 1980's Kerekou resigned from the army to become a civilian head of state and liberalized the economy. While Benin has seen economic growth over the past few years, it remains among the world's poorest countries. 

FACTS

Population: 6 million
Capital: Porto-Novo
Major language: French
Major religions: Indigenous beliefs, Christianity, Islam
Form of government: Multiparty republic
Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes 
Main exports: Cotton, palm oil
Internet domain: .bj
Time zone: GMT+1
International dialing code: +229

LEADERS

President: Mathieu Kerekou 
President Kerekou was born in 1933 and educated in Senegal and Mali before joining the French army. He held senior posts in the Dahomean military before seizing power in 1972. He proclaimed Marxism-Leninism as the official ideology, earning for the country the label "Africa's Cuba". He dropped the ideology following pressure from creditors and domestic unrest related to economic hardship. He lost the 1991 presidential polls but was returned in 1996 elections. He seldom makes public appearances. Minister Coordinating Government Action: Bruno Amoussou Defence Minister: Pierre Osho Foreign Minister: Antoine Idji Kolawole Interior Minister: Daniel Tawema Finance Minister: Abdoulaye Bio Tchane 

MEDIA

Print and broadcast media in Benin are considered to be free although there is evidence of government pressure on media outlets. There are harsh libel laws which have been used against journalists but the government has also created constitutional guarantees for press freedom. There are more than 50 newspapers and periodicals, one state and one commercial TV channel and 34 state, commercial and local radio stations. 

     The Press
     Le Matinal - daily newspaper 
     La Nation - daily newspaper

     Television
     Television National - state 
     TV LC2 - commercial TV 

     Radio
     Radio Benin - national state radio 
     Golfe FM - commercial 


OBSTACLES TO MINISTRY

• Prevalence of Witchcraft and Voodoo

• Disheveled economic system

• Syncretistic tendencies in church

• Animistic practices still evident in some churches

• Deep ethnic divisions

SPIRITUAL POWER POINTS

• Abomey region - Location of fetish temples, voodoo activities

• Muslim towns - Parkou, Kandi, Malanville, Djougou, Porto Novo

• City of Ouidah - Major hub for voodoo and snake cults

• Grande Mache de Dantokpa

• Market for fetishes and religious paraphernalia
  

Special thanks to Geroge Otis, Jr., "Strongholds of the 10/40 Window,"
 publisher, ISBN # 0-310-40031-7; and country profiles by BBC