REPRESENTATIONS SOCIORELIGIEUSES DE "MITƆGBOJI", UNE ILE AU COEUR DU LAC AHEME AU BENIN

Abstract

Scholars in human and social sciences care about island according to their research fields and their objects of predilection. This research paper falling within sociological anthropological field of study, deal with the island Mitɔgboji situated on the Ahémé Lake in Benin Republic.Working assumption that embed place different representations structuring different uses from the actors who access to it, this research tries to describe them start from local rationalities. To that end, sixteen (16) semi-structured interviews have been realized with the participants to the research selected by the means of typical sampling.Finding, analyzed by the means of theories of the social representations and the ones the religious governance, have allowed to conclude that Mitɔgboji island symbolize in social universe of research a space of conflict resolutions and decision makings, a touristic potential, a space of rest and refuge, a sacrificial area allowing to humans to establish a vertical communication between them, spirits of deaths and divinities. Those religious and social different representations made call to religious and social usages that, well sidebars, can significantly contributed to the valorization of Mitɔgboji island.