Benin: Vodun to the Rescue of Mangroves

Sep 15

Synopsis

In Benin, an ancient tradition is an ally for mangrove conservation. The film takes us on a journey into Vodun practices, revealing how faith, science and community governance intersect. Here, conservation is embedded in spiritual beliefs, rituals and reverence for nature, offering an alternative approach to protecting fragile ecosystems.

From the filmmaker

I made this film because I wanted to explore a different way of thinking about conservation. We often hear that protecting nature depends on laws, science or technology. But in Benin, I discovered that spiritual beliefs and traditional governance systems have protected ecosystems for generations. It's about recognizing that local knowledge and cultural practices can offer valuable solutions to today's environmental challenges. I hope this film encourages audiences to look beyond stereotypes and to see that protecting nature can take many different forms.