Benin’s Mangroves Protected by Ancient Spiritual Practices

In Benin, communities and conservationists are using Vodun, an ancient spiritual religion, to protect the country’s dwindling mangrove forests. Mangroves in Benin face threats from logging, agriculture, salt production, and urbanization, leading to a 29% decrease in cover between 1995 and 2015.

The NGO Eco-Bénin collaborates with Vodun priests to designate areas as sacred, invoking the Zangbéto deity to discourage mangrove destruction. This practice has preserved approximately 500 hectares of mangroves over the last decade through spiritual “pacts” symbolized by miniature Zangbéto figures placed on trees.

The Beninese government, which recognized Vodun as a national religion in 1996, now integrates these traditional conservation methods into its environmental strategies, seeing them as complementary to public enforcement. This approach acknowledges the deep cultural connection between local communities and the natural world, viewing mangroves not just as resources but as living beings with spiritual significance.