The Vodou Panel brought together theologians, historians, and guardians of traditions around a fundamental question: “The role of African cults and cultures in Africa’s development and the flourishing of Afro-descendant peoples.”
Three powerful voices — from Haiti, Brazil, and Togo — converged toward a shared conviction: African spirituality is the founding matrix of a new Pan-African humanism, capable of liberating minds and reconnecting the continent’s future to its deep roots.
🔥 Spirituality: The Founding Matrix of African Thought
Contrary to the Western myth of secularism, all politics rests upon a spirituality. Africa cannot develop by denying its spiritual foundations that have structured social, cultural, and economic relationships for millennia.
The panelists denounced an education that remains colonial, built on foreign archetypes that disconnect African youth from their authentic cultural values and references.
The call is clear: rethink Pan-African education and rewrite African history based on the continent’s traditions and realities — not to return to the past, but to reconnect Africa’s future to its roots.
” I am because you are. “
— Relational Humanism, foundation of African thought
🎤 PANEL VOICES — Three Continents, One Vision
HAITI 🇭🇹
Dr. Jean-Fils Aimé — Doctor of Theology, Historian
Describing himself as an “African from Haiti”, Dr. Aimé emphasized the deep African roots of the Caribbean diaspora. He demonstrated that all politics rests upon a spirituality, contrary to the Western myth of secularism. He denounces an education that remains colonial, built on foreign archetypes that alienate African youth.
” We must rethink Pan-African education to free youth from colonial models and restore African cultural values and references. “
BRAZIL 🇧🇷
Professor Mariana Gino
Professor Gino paid a vibrant tribute to African and Afro-descendant ancestors. She affirms that birth is a founding political act, as it structures social, cultural, and spiritual relationships. She argues that Afro-Brazilians practice Pan-Africanism daily through their social, cultural, and economic actions.
” It is necessary to rewrite African and Afro-descendant history based on authentic African traditions and realities. “
TOGO 🇹🇬
Professor Assou Kossi Hemadzro
Professor Hemadzro emphasized that spirituality is the founding matrix of African thought. He proposes a new Pan-African humanism based on three complementary pillars, offering a concrete path to reconnect Africa’s future to its deep roots, without nostalgic longing for the past.
” This approach does not aim to return to the past, but to reconnect Africa’s future to its roots. “
🌟 The New Pan-African Humanism — The 3 Pillars
1
Relational Humanism
“I am because you are” — The individual exists only in relationship to others and the community
2
Humanism of Memory
Traditions as living libraries — Preserving and transmitting ancestral knowledge
3
Humanism of Celebration
Proposal: a Pan-African Day of Traditions — Celebrating African spirituality
🔥 The Message of the Vodou Panel
African spirituality is not a vestige of the past,
but the founding matrix of a sovereign future.
Rethink education, rewrite history,
celebrate traditions: these are the paths
to Pan-African renewal.
📌 Key Takeaways
- Spirituality is the founding matrix of African thought
- All politics rests upon a spirituality, contrary to the myth of secularism
- Colonial education must be rethought to liberate youth
- Afro-Brazilians practice Pan-Africanism daily
- A new Pan-African humanism in 3 pillars: relationship, memory, celebration
- Proposal: create a Pan-African Day of Traditions
- The goal: reconnect Africa’s future to its roots, not return to the past
✊ Panel Recommendations
1. Reform African educational systems to integrate traditional knowledge and values
2. Rewrite African and Afro-descendant history based on authentic African sources
3. Create a Pan-African day dedicated to African traditions and spirituality
4. Promote Pan-African humanism founded on relationship, memory, and celebration
📣 Stay Connected
🌍 Official website: https://pac9-lome2024.com