The Vodun ritual sɔ gbɔ in Benin: Place of Theatricality and Oral Literary Performance

In Benin, periodic rituals are organized to honor the Vodun. An observation of these rituals reveals that, beyond their social and spiritual dimensions, there is also an artistic dimension involving theatricality and oral literary performance. Vodùn sɔ́ gbɔ̌, a ritual performed as a prelude to the Vodun Sakpata dance, clearly illustrates the presence of theatrical and oral literary performance. How do theatricality and literary speech manifest during the enactment of the Vodùn sɔ́ gbɔ̌ ritual? It can be assumed that the theatrical and oral arts reveal themselves through signs and forms that emerge throughout the unfolding of the ritual. This study aims to describe how the ritual is marked by the dual presence of theatricality and oral literary speech. To achieve this, two theoretical approaches are employed: theatrical semiotics and hermeneutics. The analysis is structured around two focal points. The first provides context along with a concise presentation of the ritual. The second identifies and describes the theatrical signs and literary speech acts that form and characterize the artistic performances within the ritual. Keywords: Theatricality, Performance, Oral Texts, Ritual, Vodun