La figure du roi entre aura et charisme : vers une clé de compréhension du mystère de la légitimation du pouvoir politique africain

In African popular psychology, the explanation of the sensible lies in the supra-sensible. In Africa, then, nothing, absolutely nothing, is natural. Even the simplest, most palpable things have a supernatural underpinning, especially power, which is extraordinary. In the Black African tradition, everything is expressed in a balance of power. So in traditional Africa, the king, whose function must be decisive, finds his legitimacy in the superior universe of ontological forces. This belief in the existence of supernatural powers at the disposal of African kings is still anchored in the collective and individual psychology of Africans. In order to acquire charisma and religious symbolism, African leaders accentuate this popular awareness, thereby strengthening their political position. In other words, the use of popular beliefs helps to legitimise political power. In other words, they appear as a mechanism by which individuals are led to recognise the legitimacy of power, institutions, behaviour, discourse, customs, etc.