Artisanat et transformation niébé

In the framework of the ICOWPEA project: https://niebe-icowpea.cirad. fr/ (2017-2019), funded by the Agropolis, Daniel& Nina Carasso and Cariplo Foundations, researchers from CIRAD, the University of Abomey Calavi (Benin), IRD and the NGO LARES (Laboratoire d’Analyse Régionale et d’Expertise Sociale - Benin), are conducting research on the development of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in partnership with women artisans from the popular catering industry and street food sector in Cotonou.
In terms of professional structuring, the Brazilian organisation "Associação Nacional das Baianas de Acarajé" (ABAM), is a model that strongly inspires the cowpea processing craftswomen in Cotonou. The women artisans who process feijão (cowpea) produce the Acarajé (doughnut), which has its origins in the Gulf countries of Benin. ABAM, which has nearly 4,000 members, led to the recognition in 2004 of the Bahian women of Acarajé by the Instituto do Patrimônio e Artístico Nacional (IPHAN) as part of the intangible cultural heritage of Brazil.
At the beginning of December 2019 in Cotonou, the ICOWPEA project will organise a seminar to present the results of the project and a day of promotion of cowpea products with the women artisans. On this occasion, we would also like to organise a workshop for reflection and exchange on the problems linked to the development of the street food sector with Beninese and Brazilian women artisans’ organisations, researchers from the UFB and Embrapa, as well as the ICOWPEA project partners and the municipality of Cotonou.