Christian churches in Dahomey-Benin : a study of their socio-political role / by Patrick Claffey.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Claffey, Patrick.

Series:

Studies on religion in Africa ; 31.

Studies of religion in Africa, 0169-9814 ; 31

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Christianity and culture--Benin--History.

Christianity and culture.

Christianity and politics--Benin--History.

Christianity and politics.

Benin--Church history.

Benin.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (336 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill ; Biggleswade : Extenza Turpin [distributor], 2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book, divided into two broad sections, examines the state in the Republic of Benin and the socio-political role of the Christian churches. The first looks at the remarkable pre-colonial kingdom of Danxomέ and its place in the imagining of the modern contrat social béninois . The second section looks at both the historical role of the mainline churches and the more recent development of a Christianisme béninois . The study concludes that the churches are above all a commentary upon the society in which they find themselves. Rather than an overt challenge to the state, they articulate social distress and the desire for a different future. In times of stress they may prove to be the only viable institutional buttress as well as the arbiter. This study seeks to make a contribution to the understanding of the public role of Christian churches in Africa.

Contents:

Preliminary Materials

Chapter One. Introduction

Chapter Two. Danxomε A Narrative of Pride and Suspicion

Chapter Three. Danxomε Kasudu: Vodún and the Foundation of Danxomε

Chapter Four. A History Unassumed

Chapter Five. Civilisation, Pacification, Demise: The Churches and the Kingdom of Danxomε

Chapter Six. Catholicism, The Elites And The Creation Of Béninois Nationalism

Chapter Seven. My Rock, My Shield, My Stronghold And My Refuge

Chapter Eight. Afterword

Appendix 1: The Kings Of Danxomε

Appendix 2. The Vodún Pantheon

Appendix 3a. An Interpretation Of The Active Relationship Between The Visible And Invisible Worlds

Appendix 3b. Notes On The Masked Cults

Appendix 4. Adahoonzou’s Speech, Upon Hearing What Has Passed In England Upon The Subject Of The Slave-Trade

Appendix 5. Forbes’ Account Of The Customs

Appendix 6. Extracts From Paul Hazoume’s Novel Dogucimi

Appendix 7. Some Of The Most Important Nineteenth-Century Catholic Orders Or Institutes Dedicated To Mission In Africa

Appendix 8. Demographic Statistics And Some Socio-Economic Indicators

Appendix 9a. Definitions Of The Key Elements From The Catholic Social Teaching

Appendix 9b. Extracts From The Socio-Political Chapters Of Ecclesia In Africa

Appendix 10a. Outline Plan Of The CCC Compound, Akpakpa

Appendix 10b. Outline Of The Compound Of Paroisse St. Michel, Cotonou

Selected Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [307]-324) and index.

ISBN:

1-281-91730-3

9786611917302

90-474-1977-4

OCLC:

646789674

Publisher Number:

10.1163/ej.9789004155725.i-328 DOI