• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.691-699
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• 2021

The global surface temperature has risen critically over the past century and according to the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report 2014, existing risks in natural and human systems will worsen. Coastal erosion is mostly caused by climate change and among all the coastal areas at risk, Benin, which is part of the Gulf of Guinea, has been ranked very highly as a vulnerable region. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the evolution of coastline change in Cotonou of Benin, summarizing its resultant impacts and applied measures around the coast area by reviewing previous studies. Signs of coastal erosion in Cotonou appeared in 1963. After 39 years, the east shoreline of Cotonou has retreated by 885 m, resulting in the disappearance of more than 800 houses. To solve this problem, Benin authorities built seven groynes in 2013, and have increased the number of the structure as a way to interrupt water flow and limit the movement of sediment. Over the region, shorelines appeared preserved accordingly. In contrast, areas located further east, where groynes were not installed, have suf ered from intensive erosion at a rate of 49 m/yr. In the future, as a next step, the effectiveness of groynes should be studied with local and broader perspectives.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.49
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• pp.303-330
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• 2017

This paper examines the origin of the current Nigerian Yoruba artistic and cultural tradition through ancient artifacts and creation myths centered on $Il{\acute{e}}-If{\acute{e}}$ (or $If{\acute{e}}$) located in the southwestern part of Nigeria and recognition of cultural relativity. In the oral tradition, kingdoms of Ijebu, Oyo, and Benin all have their origins in the ancient city of $Il{\acute{e}}-If{\acute{e}}$, the cradle of Yoruba culture. Their founders were sons of Oduduwa, the god of Yoruba. In this way, kingdoms built around $Il{\acute{e}}-Ife$ were closely connected with culture, religion, and society. In order to understand the Yoruba culture, research on $Il{\acute{e}}-Ife$, the source of their artistic and cultural traditions, is very important. The Yoruba are deeply rooted in $Il{\acute{e}}-Ife$. They have been steadily preserving their artistry since the beginning. They have been using it in their lives to this day for centuries. Their evidences are mythology and Ifa divination system. They are cultural heritages that represent the art of Yoruba and the spiritual culture. Ifa devination system is one of Yoruba traditions associated with Yoruba gods 'Eshu' and 'Ifa'. It has been conducted among the Yoruba until now. If the culture and civilization of Africa, including these Yoruba traditional customs, are deemed illogical and superstitious, it would mislead their efforts to preserve the origin in its original form. If so, one should understand the relativity of other cultures and civilizations and the need for diversity and flexibility of value standards to judge their cultures and civilizations.