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<p>This paper shows the value of local languages for grasping urban spaces in countries like Benin. It introduces <i>tòxò hùn nùkún</i>, a concept in the Mahi/Fon language meaning “a city with open eyes”, to challenge the perception that Africa is only now becoming urbanised. Based on this descriptive metaphor, the paper reveals existing traces of local urban conceptualization that predate current development discourse. The paper’s argument has been drawn from conversations about Africa’s rapid urbanisation, African urban studies, secondary cities and literatures using terms and concepts in the languages of developing countries to theorise space without over-relying on Western social sciences. This research is based on a 12-month ethnography conducted in the Republic of Benin. It draws from semi-structured interviews with over 70 residents and actors of <i>Rue de l’Espoir</i>, in Tchinagbégbo district, Abomey-Calavi. Without having the aim of being universally applicable, taking language seriously points out that analysing places like Calavi with their wealth of linguistic diversity and history provides the possibility for the emergence and popularisation of locally grounded spatial concepts, challenging dominant urban theory. I show that although there has been confusion on the spatial nature of Calavi from Beninese and Africanist social scientists, Abomey-Calavi has always been urban; however, what has been described as urban has changed over time.</p>

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Urban Space in Benin : Contributing to an Ongoing Conversation on Urbanization Through Indigenous Linguistic Frameworks

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月20日

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  • Emmanuel C.P. Awohouedji

摘要

This paper shows the value of local languages for grasping urban spaces in countries like Benin. It introduces tòxò hùn nùkún, a concept in the Mahi/Fon language meaning “a city with open eyes”, to challenge the perception that Africa is only now becoming urbanised. Based on this descriptive metaphor, the paper reveals existing traces of local urban conceptualization that predate current development discourse. The paper’s argument has been drawn from conversations about Africa’s rapid urbanisation, African urban studies, secondary cities and literatures using terms and concepts in the languages of developing countries to theorise space without over-relying on Western social sciences. This research is based on a 12-month ethnography conducted in the Republic of Benin. It draws from semi-structured interviews with over 70 residents and actors of Rue de l’Espoir, in Tchinagbégbo district, Abomey-Calavi. Without having the aim of being universally applicable, taking language seriously points out that analysing places like Calavi with their wealth of linguistic diversity and history provides the possibility for the emergence and popularisation of locally grounded spatial concepts, challenging dominant urban theory. I show that although there has been confusion on the spatial nature of Calavi from Beninese and Africanist social scientists, Abomey-Calavi has always been urban; however, what has been described as urban has changed over time.