Abstract
The return of the former Marxist dictator, Mathieu Kerekou, to the political arena in Benin in 1996 contains significant religious elements. Through an analysis of Kerekou's representation of power, including a few examples of popular interpretation of his power, this article deals with the link between religion and politics in relation to political thinking in Benin. The way in which Kerekou represents his power seems to reflect a general religious-political culture in which power is considered to have its ultimate root in a religious source. However, this fundamental idea of power enters into a pluralistic whole, mixing secular and religious concepts. This conception of political power also reflects a specific notion of causality which involves other domains of life. Kerekou's case shows that particular types of religion are linked to particular types of political systems, traditional vodun religion being linked with military rule and dictatorship and Christianity being linked with democracy. WHERE YOU LIVE IN EUROPE, someone can rule without looking for another power elsewhere, but here in Africa, a man cannot remain in power without associating himself with something. Even if it is not for democratic elections, even if someone wants to carry out a coup d'etat against a president, he must seek 'la chance' (good luck), which means asking that one prays for him so that God helps him win. Here in Africa, we must follow this path to make things work. 1 'In spite of the past 17 years, it is Kerekou that God has chosen for this people.'2 This slogan from the presidential elections in Benin in 1996 reflects how power is perceived differently depending on the cultural context, and how in Africa in general and more specifically in Benin a close link apparently exists between religion and notions of political power. The return of the former Marxist dictator, Mathieu Kerekou, to the political arena contains significant religious dimensions, both in his own discourse and in the popular interpretation of his power. Kerekou's This article is based on three months' field work in Benin from March to June 1997, partly financed by the University of Copenhagen. The author wishes to thank all those interviewed in Benin for their help, and also colleagues at the University of Copenhagen. 1. Interview, 30-year-old Muslim male office worker, 23 May 1997, Banikoara, Benin. This and all French quotations used in this article are translated from French into English by Christy Shields. 2. Liberation, 20 March 1996.
Published Version
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