Following the significant success of its inaugural edition in 2024, the Festival of Masks Scientific Symposium is set to return to the School of African Heritage (EPA) in Porto-Novo, Benin, on August 2 and 3.
This year’s prestigious event is themed “Ifá Orúnmìlà: Introduction to an Epistemology.” It invites researchers, intellectuals, practitioners, and enthusiasts from across the globe to engage in a deep dialogue on indigenous African knowledge systems.
The symposium aims to rehabilitate and promote ancestral oral traditions, philosophies, and knowledge through a rigorous epistemological approach centered on Ifá Orúnmìlà, an emblematic oracle and master of wisdom in Yoruba culture. By blending academic perspectives with practical experiences, the event seeks to foster a renewed understanding of Africa’s intangible heritage, which is crucial for rethinking contemporary knowledge paradigms.
Over the two-day period, attendees can expect a rich program featuring presentations, roundtables, workshops, and intercultural exchanges. This unique forum is designed to boost the visibility and recognition of indigenous knowledge within global intellectual debates, while also encouraging its transmission to future generations.
The conference will be held at the School of African Heritage, a leading institution dedicated to the preservation and promotion of African heritage, with sessions commencing at 9 a.m. It forms a key component of the broader Festival of Masks, a cultural and scientific event that celebrates the richness of African cultures through tradition, art, and research.
This second scientific conference underscores the ongoing momentum to foster a productive dialogue between tradition and modernity, aiming for mutual enrichment and a deeper understanding of African identities.