Climate Variability and The ‘Yora’ Rural Community in the Commune of Djougou, Donga Department, In the North-West of Benin

The commune of Djougou is located in the department of Donga in the northwest of Benin, subjected to a dry season and a rainy season; it is inhabited by several sociolinguistic groups including the "yowa". These people live from agriculture and produce "nuŋa" yams, millet "zᴐpela", beans "tura", sorghum "zᴐ" ... Nevertheless the staple food is sorghum "zᴐ". The customs of "yowa" are based on prohibitions, the violation of which is considered sacrilege "kpimma-səmasə" which can cause drought "kparam". From the analysis of the results of our interviews during the surveys, it emerges that the "yowa" perceive the effects of climate variability interpret them according to their ancestral deities. All the harvests are closed with the grandiose sorghum festival "zᴐlali", as a thank you to the ancestors. For example, the consumption of the new yam is conditioned by the authorization of the "bəha" deities who eat it first. This is the "Gnakrə". In case of drought, the causes and remedies are identified according to beliefs. The "yora" can recognize by signs the transition from one season to another. Despite these beliefs, farmers have adopted measures to adapt to the effects of climate variability.