Religion in Benin (2020 estimate)
[1]
Other / None (5.3%)
Christianity
is the largest
religion in
Benin
, with substantial populations of
Muslims
and adherents of
traditional faiths
. According to the most recent 2020 estimate, the population of Benin is 52.2% Christian, 24.6% Muslim, 17.9% traditionalist and 5.3% follows other faiths or has no religion.
[2]
[3]
There are Christians, Muslims, and adherents of
African Traditional Religion
throughout the country.
[4]
However, most adherents of the traditional
Yoruba
religious group are in the south, while other African Traditional Religion beliefs are followed in the north.
[4]
Muslims are represented most heavily in the north, while Catholics are prevalent in the south,
[5]
particularly in
Cotonou
, the economic capital. It is not unusual for members of the same family to practise Christianity, Islam, African Traditional Religion, or a combination of all of these.
Faiths
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African Traditional Religion
[
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Among the most practiced African Traditional Religions in Benin is the
Vodun
system of belief which originated in this area of Africa.
[5]
Other African Traditional Religions are practiced in the
Atakora
(Atakora and Donga provinces) and Vodun and
Orisha
(or
Orisa
) veneration among the Yoruba and Tado peoples is prevalent in the centre and south of the country. The town of
Ouidah
on the central coast is the spiritual centre of Beninese Vodun.
The Tado and the Yoruba
Orisha
pantheons correspond closely:
- The
supreme deity
Mawu
(in the Fon language) or
Olodumare
(also known as
Olorun
, Eledumare, Olofin-Orun and Eledaa among other names)(in Yoruba)
- The deity of the earth and smallpox, known as Sakpana (or Sopono, Sakpata), can also be spelt as 'Shakpata, Shopono, Shakpana, and also known as Babalu Aye or Obalu Aye.
- The deity of thunder and lightning, known as
Shango
; can also be spelt as Sango, also known as Jakuta, Chango, Xevioso and Hevioso.
- The deity of war and iron, known as
Ogun
, also known as Ogoun or Gu.
Catholicism
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Catholicism
first reached Benin in 1680, gaining more permanent footing in the 19th century.
English
Methodists
arrived in 1843, operating amongst the coastal
Gun
people.
[6]
French missionaries spread Catholicism in the region.
[7]
More than half of all Catholics in Benin are
Roman Catholic
.
[8]
The Catholic hierarchy in Benin consists of the
Archdiocese of Cotonou
(including the Dioceses of
Abomey
,
Dassa-Zoume
,
Lokossa
,
Porto Novo
) and the
Parakou
(including the Dioceses of
Djougou
,
Kandi
,
Natitingou
, and
N'Dali
). In 2020, there were 1349
priests
and 1482 women in religious orders.
[9]
Other Christian groups include
Celestial Christians
,
Methodists
,
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(Mormons),
Jehovah's Witnesses
,
Baptists
,
Pentecostals
, the
Unification Church
and the
Very Holy Church of Jesus Christ of Baname
.
[5]
Islam
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Islam, which accounts for more than 27% of the country's population, was brought to Benin from the north by
Hausa
, and Songhai-
Dendi
traders.
[7]
Nearly all Muslims adhere to the
Sunni
branch of Islam.
[5]
The few
Shi'a
Muslims are primarily Middle Eastern expatriates.
[4]
Shia population in Benin is estimated between one and twelve percent of the total Muslim population of Benin, according to Pew Forum it is less than one percent
[11]
while as per Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly the population of Shia in Benin is around twelve percent of the total Muslim population of Benin.
[12]
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
is also present, who recently inaugurated a
mosque
in Benin, the Al Mahdi Mosque in 2006. Many nominal Muslims also practise traditional local religious beliefs.
[4]
-
-
Islamic art in Benin
-
Pilgrims leaving for
Mecca
Three out of twelve
departments
have a Muslim majority:
Alibori
(81.3%),
Donga
(77.9%) and
Borgou
(69.8%).
[13]
Couffo
has the lowest share of Muslims in Benin as Muslims comprise less than 1% of the total population.
Other groups
[
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Other religious groups in Benin include
Eckankar
and followers of the
Baha?i Faith
.
[5]
Freedom of religion
[
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The
Constitution of Benin
provides for
freedom of religion
, and the government generally respects this right in practice.
[5]
The United States government recorded no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious belief or practice during 2007, and prominent societal leaders have taken positive steps to promote religious freedom.
[4]
In 2023, Benin was scored 4 out of 4 for religious freedom.
[14]
See also
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References
[
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