Paul Hazoumé

Paul Hazoumé (1890-1980) was a Beninese writer, ethnologist, and politician. He is considered a significant figure in Beninese literature and intellectual history.

Hazoumé was born in Porto-Novo, Dahomey (now Benin), and was educated at Catholic schools. He worked as a translator and civil servant for the French colonial administration.

Hazoumé is best known for his novel, Doguicimi (1938), considered one of the first novels written in French by a West African. Doguicimi is a historical novel set in the 19th-century Kingdom of Dahomey, focusing on the reign of King Ghézo and exploring themes of tradition, colonialism, and cultural conflict.

Beyond Doguicimi, Hazoumé authored several other works, including ethnographic studies and historical accounts related to Beninese history and culture. He documented aspects of Dahomeyan religion, customs, and social structures. His scholarly work contributed to the preservation and understanding of Beninese heritage.

Hazoumé was also involved in politics. He was a member of the Dahomeyan Progressive Union and served as a senator in the French National Assembly after World War II. He advocated for greater autonomy for Dahomey within the French Union.

His literary and intellectual contributions have solidified his position as a prominent figure in the development of Beninese literature and the study of Beninese history and culture.