Benin sees surge in demand for books on African spirituality

The trend is clear, says Houngnibo Gbaguidi, president of the Benin
Association of Professional Booksellers: “Gone are the days when customers came
to bookstores only to buy Christian prayer booklets or books on the Psalms.”

Gbaguidi, vice president of the International Association of
Francophone Booksellers, noted a decline in demand for Catholic literature. “At
best, those who still ask for them are looking for books that help them better
understand Catholicism.”

In recent years, interest in African philosophy, spirituality, and religion
has grown dramatically. “I’ve never seen such a thirst for knowledge about
Africa!” said Benoît Ahouandjinou, a bookseller for more than 40 years. After
retiring as a literature and culture specialist at Notre-Dame bookstore in
Cotonou, Ahouandjinou opened Le Progrès Store in 2021 in Porto-Novo,
Benin’s capital.

Vodun books driving sales

 “For the past two years, books on
Vodun and African culture have made up 60% to 80% of our total sales,” he said.
His store primarily stocks books on African spirituality and cultural
traditions.

A similar trend is visible at L’Harmattan Bénin, a French
publishing house that opened in Cotonou in January. Titles such as What Is
Vodun?, Ouidah: Heir to Ancient Egypt, and Vodun Theology:
Foundations of Aja-Tado Thought are prominently displayed.

Recognizing this demand, Gbaguidi launched Savoir d’Afrique in
2021, a bookstore in Cotonou focused entirely on African literature and
culture. Her mission is to “promote African literature, especially from Benin,
and to distribute books that highlight African cultural and religious values.”

A global readership

While Vodun books sell well in Benin, local buyers remain a minority. Apart
from a few academics, the primary customers are foreigners. “Most of our buyers
are European and American tourists, Afro-descendants, and expatriates,”
Ahouandjinou said. “When they visit Benin, they want to understand its culture,
religions, and traditions.”

Interest peaks during the summer and in January, when the Vodun Days
festival takes place. Books on Fa, a traditional African divination
practice, are especially popular.

Engaging local readers

Booksellers and publishers are looking for ways to get more Beninese
people—especially young readers—interested in books. “Parents need to instill a
love for books and reading at an early age,” said Gbaguidi, who suggests
illustrated children’s Bibles as an entry point.

In a similar effort, Éditions Isidore de Souza, named after the
late archbishop of Cotonou, opened a free reading space for students in 2021.
“We want to bring books closer to students, provide a welcoming environment
where they can learn and access books from their school curriculum,” said coordinator Axelle Adiho.

Other initiatives include literary cafés and author talks in bookstores.
“Each month at L’Harmattan Bénin, we host an author event with about
50 readers. If 10 of them each buy 10 to 20 books, that’s a boost for both
readership and authors,” said director Stephens Akplogan.

With growing interest in African spirituality and literature, Benin’s book
industry is evolving to meet demand—both at home and abroad.