Benin: a book fair offers another look at African history

In Cotonou, Benin’s Obelisk aux Dévoués stands in the Mathieu Gardens, commemorating those who died for the nation. Historically, successive Beninese presidents laid wreaths on the graves of French soldiers who perished during the colonization of Dahomey, an act that writer Florent Couao-Zotti believes is outdated. He argues, “You can’t go there to venerate foreign soldiers who died for the conquest of Dahomey,” emphasizing the need to focus on local heritage.

Contrasting this colonial homage, the statue of the Amazon of Dahomey stands proudly as a symbol of Benin’s courage, bravery, and patriotism. The Amazons were a fierce all-female military unit in the Kingdom of Dahomey, revered for their strength and valor.

To further reconnect with their cultural roots, the African Heritage History Book Fair in Ouidah serves as a key event, coinciding with the Vodun Festival. This book fair introduces the public to African history, often overlooked or misrepresented in mainstream narratives. Eskil Agbo, Director of Bénin Livres, expressed the importance of highlighting these stories, noting that while many great African authors have written about the continent’s rich heritage, these works often remain unknown to the public. He sees the book fair as a crucial platform to disseminate knowledge and encourage discussions about African history and values.

In its third edition, the fair features conferences, debates, film screenings, and exhibitions, offering a fresh perspective on African history. African researchers and historians specializing in cultural heritage contextualize events, dispelling foreign narratives and restoring authenticity to the historical record. As Couao-Zotti puts it, “History today is at the heart of all the issues linked to our culture, linked to our past, linked to our memory. It’s important that the narrative we provide is in tune and in harmony with our realities.” Through these initiatives, the event challenges long-standing clichés, encouraging a renewed sense of pride in Africa’s heritage and ancestral values.