Asɛn

Language: Fɔ̀ngbè

Description

Originellement issu du Fɔ̀ngbè, le terme désigne un autel portatif fait de métal principalement, et réalisé pour commémorer un-e défunt-e qui, de son vivant, a eu à mener des actions louables. Il sert de connexion entre le monde des vivant-e-s et celui des ancêtres.

La particularité de l’asɛn est qu’il est exclusivement réalisé à deux conditions: la première étant que la personne ne soit plus du monde des vivant-e-s, et la seconde étant qu’il-elle ait été une personne exemplaire de son vivant.

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Originally a Fɔ̀ngbè term, an asɛn is a portable altar made mainly of metal and designed to commemorate a deceased person who, during their lifetime, performed praiseworthy deeds. An asɛn serves as a connection between the world of the living and that of the ancestors.

The particularity of the asɛn is that it is only made if two conditions are met: firstly, that the person commemorated is no longer alive, and secondly, that he or she was an exemplary person during their lifetime.

Date of entry: June 27, 2025
Asɛn or the material representation of divinised ancestors. Porto-Novo (Benin), 12.06.2024, by Montcho, Crystallin.
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