Benin News

In the tiny West African country of Benin, voodoo has been practised for 10,000 years, but efforts to preserve its ancient oral traditions are exacting a harsh toll on its faithful, splitting families and pushing people deeper into poverty. Benin is unique in recognising voodoo as an official religion, followed by two-thirds of its 7.6 million people. It involves a pantheon of gods and spirits whose intercession is sought through animal blood sacrifice. But to survive, voodoo needs a new generation to pass on sacred mysteries, so thousands of children are initiated by its priests every year. But the price of the ceremonies can be unbearable and some parents are selling their children to repay voodoo debts

Guinean Defence minister sacked Conakry, Guinea - Guinean President Lansana Conte on Tuesday sacked his d efence minister, General Mamadou Bailo Diallo, official sources said in Conakry.

By Jacques Lhuillery Lagos - The rice shortage in Africa could end up being a blessing in disguise, according to a report issued ahead of a Japanese conference on African development.

The year 2007 and perhaps 2008, presented a tough challenge for most operators of the Nigerian banking industry.

Mass was celebrated at the Vatican on Friday for the repose of the soul of Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, who died on 13 May at the age of 86.

In a scene on a popular Benin TV series, a farmer named Codjo puts his wife out on the streets because she kept asking him for more and more money to buy groceries.

The first edition of a drama competition among Francophone African nations will hold 11-14 December in Cotonou, Benin's economic capital, organisers said here Sunday.

W HOEVER, among the artists, won a prize at the ongoing international biennial art event, Dak'Art 2008 must have passed through a keenly contested art exhibition and competition of the continent's biggest art ...

Second main line container vessel reached the port on Wednesday MANGALORE: The second ship service allowing direct import and export of goods packed in standard containers from West Africa has commenced from ... via The Hindu

Benedict XVI sent the following telegram to Archbishop Marcel Honorat Leon Agboton of Cotonou, Benin, for the death of Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, dean emeritus of the College of Cardinals. via Global Catholic Network EWTN

THE National Universities Commission has dismissed five universities operating in the country The institutions are St Paul University College, and Blacksmith University, Awka both in Anambra State, University ... via Vanguard

Sub-Saharan Africa Babilown [Fr] puts Benin's local election results in perspective: “[it's as if] the opposition won China, Russia, Brazil and Mexico, while the ruling party snatched up Belgium and even Canada, but also Crete, Malta, the Cayman Islands, the Vatican, Albania, Haiti, Barbados, Cap Verde, Estonia, Lithuania, Israel, Jordan, Rwandan, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Serbia, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, all the members of the United Nations, and other more or less imaginary countries like the Kingdom of the Sahara and the Freedland Republic…or the Kingdom of Redonda.”

“Now I hear jazz in a different way”

NEW YORK : Lionel Loueke's name could easily be overlooked among the jazz and pop stars on Herbie Hancock's "River: The Joni Letters," this year's Grammy winner for album of the year. via International Herald Tribune

“He gives a different level of importance to the poor and homeless here in Boston.”

Lunchtime conversations in this basement usually revolve around the day-to-day plight of the homeless women who come for shelter and sustenance. via Boston Globe

An African king will tour a homeless shelter for women in Boston today, one of several stops during a week-long visit to the city. via Boston Globe

A principal researcher from Canada's North-South Institu te, Dr. John W. Foster, Tuesday urged governments from developed countries "to p hase out agricultural subsidies" given to their farmers as part of ... via Panapress

“We were told that this problem arose from all the problems that the electoral commission has been encountering since the start of the electoral process.”

Ballot irregularities and unopened polling stations were reported early Sunday as Benin's citizens cast votes for more than 26,000 candidates from a dozen political parties. via Voice of America

“Voodoo". - Dahomey, the ancient kingdom that preceded the modern state of Benin, was famous for instituting an elite female soldier corps called Ahosi, or "our mothers”

Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: Arts It is not entirely uncommon for foreign officials to visit UMass Boston, but this week the campus community will be in the presence of royalty when His Majesty Kpoto-Zounme ... via Mass Media

“By the time I graduated, I had been working for three years and was offered a job at the radio station”

Prof Alfred Opubor was the first to get a doctorate degree in Media and Communication in Africa. via Financial Standard

The Mozambican livestock authorities are yet to iden tify the source of an outbreak of the foot and mouth disease that has ravaged li v estock in Nhamavila and Manjacaze, in the southern province of Gaza, in ... via Panapress