Abstract
where do Indigenous knowledge holders and their astronomical knowledge sit in the modern techno scientific future of astrophysics? The present project revolves around the research among the indigenous peoples of the Tofin, a West African people living mainly in southern Benin, Nigeria, Togo and Ghana and attempts to address the question. Our methodology consists on collecting, using the Tofin local language, concepts in links with astronomy. It is indeed scientifically interesting to find out how, for example, the local sky knowledge influences the culture and the local knowledge of procedural boat building technologies. It appears during our fields work those meanings are aligned on the knowledge of the stars. Furthermore, we seek to document the knowledge of the sky as guidance in daily navigation for fishing on the sea, lake and lagoons, as basis for the organization of social and cultural life, and for more: the cycle of the stars is used to define the harvest periods; stars are used as guides during extensive marine navigation, etc. During on-site expeditions, we organize evening observations with modern telescopes to verify the accuracy of peoples’ empirical knowledge with modern theoretical models, thus allowing local people to better connect with future technological innovations. In conclusion, the Tofin fishermen propositions to the Benin Government, based on their secular experiences, are substantial for the improvement of fishing economy and for the development of the urban coastal areas in southern Benin Republic.

Key words: Astrophysics; indigenous-knowledge; Tofin (Benin); cultural astronomy; innovation-studies.