Goals: The purpose of this project is to capture and record a series of traditional folktales as told in their original languages (Fongbe, Goun, and Maxi) and make them available in a variety of digital, written, and visual formats for a broader audience in Benin. The traditional cultural expression can be considered cultural heritage or patrimony, and as “literary works of outstanding universal significance” (UNESCO). Many of these stories promote values that are in line with those valued by the US Department of State, including religious and cultural tolerance, respect for cultural diversity, and gender equality. This project will bring together anthropologists, artists, linguists, and community members to preserve,

reenact, and safeguard intangible cultural heritage of Benin. This project will also provide meaningful youth engagement and an opportunity for respectful exchanges between elders and youth in a country where nearly 65% of the population is under the age of 25. If these important literary works are not documented in a way that engages youth, they are in serious danger of disappearing.

Our team recorded eight folktales told by community members, translated them from the local languages into French and English, created guidebooks for using them in classrooms, worked with artists to conduct arts camps for children (using the stories as inspiration), and eventually created a month-long exhibit with the material culture created as a result of the project. The exhibit was launched at a gala including performances by dancers, musicians, griots, and performance artists and speeches by representatives from the Ministry of Culture, and the US Embassy in Benin. We also created two children's books based on the stories using the African Storybook platform, and distributed them to local primary schools.