Togo and Benin: Local Markets, Koutammakou and Voodoo Traditions

Grand Marché, also known as Big Market, is one of the must-see highlights while in Lomé. Become easily immersed in daily local life and explore this outdoor market with your CEO. Initially, it may seem chaotic, but there is an orderliness amid the hectic pace that will surprise you. The surrounding streets overflow with vendors selling everything imaginable. Your senses will rush into overdrive, but it's a worthwhile experience at one of the most vibrant markets in all of West Africa. The Sacred Heart or German Cathedral is located next to the market and you'll visit here to learn more about the history of this imposing piece of Gothic architecture built in 1905, even stepping inside to admire its beauty. If one of the religious leaders is available the group will have the chance to meet them and ask a few questions.

During today's long journey there will be a stop along the way to the markets in Atakpame offering a glimpse at life in the more rural village settings of Togo. Here you'll find a vibrant hub of social interaction and cultural exchange, offering unique souvenirs, fresh produce, and a chance to experience the local culture firsthand. These markets are vital trading points for subsistence farmers and other traders selling items like yams, plantain, fruit and vegetables grown on their farms, to clothes, local herbs, medicines and electrical goods. As the group explore the market you'll gain a sense of its crucial importance to the region and daily life compared to the more populated cities in the south.

Experience a key aspect of Togo's cultural identity during the Sokodé Horse Dance that showcases equestrian traditions with horse races, dances, and parades. This beautiful event dates back centuries and is seldom experienced by many outsiders. The community will gather together and the excitement builds as the horsemen arrive. It's known that only the finest warriors can parade and dance with their horses during this energetic performance. It's a time to showcase triumphs over enemies and honour the community's forefathers. It's a passionate displace of locals preserving their culture and getting to witness this side by side with them will be a true privilege and a lasting memory for even the most seasoned of travellers.

Get ready to experience the epic and ancient fire dance, traditionally performed at festivals and on special occasions in this remote northern part of Togo. Leave the hotel as the sun sets and set off on the short 30 minute journey to a local market where locals have gathered around a fire. The fire has ben set in anticipation of the arrival of the spiritually powerful men from within this rural community who wish to showcase their strength. Mingle with the locals and take your places around the flames to witness this unique and important part of their culture. Watch as the community members dance to the rhythm of the drums and use their spiritually gifted steps to stand, eat, and lay in the fire. This experience offers fabulous insight into an ancient ritual and the importance of cultural preservation for future generations.

Start the morning with a visit to the Fugu weavers of Bafilo. This traditional cloth in northern Togo differs from the Kente cloth which originates from the southern parts of the country. The group will be greeted by one of the resident families in the community that have been weaving Fugu for generations. Enjoy a demonstration of this skilled process and watch the effort it takes to create these many beautiful designs. The different style, colour, and designs are unique to this region and here is a great place to support the culture of the local community and purchase some of the traditional cloth for yourself.

Venture to further remote parts of Togo to a community that still practices the ancient and traditional method of iron smelting. Visit a local family here and watch as they go through the process of making iron products, something that has been part of their daily life for generations. The techniques have not changed and the group will witness the entire process from ground extraction to the making of the iron tools. Observe the how harsh conditions can be while they work and gain an authentic immersion in local life as you hear about daily routines here amid the villagers.

In the afternoon experience the seldom visited Koutammakou. This unique wonder has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the most stunning African landscapes. Take in the beautiful changing scenery, local villages, and people assuming their daily tasks. Quality time will be dedicated to interacting with and learning from the locals of this ancient community. You'll visit their traditional homesteads and learn what it's like to live in these unique structures. The mud houses, known as Takienta are home to the local Batammariba community. They are only found in this region of West Africa and they reflect the social structure of the community as well as their traditional spiritual beliefs of Voodoo. You'll gather with locals while here and learn more about their history, customs, and how they conduct special occasions like weddings, naming ceremonies, and yearly festivals. It's the perfect afternoon stop with the people of this rural community while travelling to Benin.

This morning you'll have the rare privilege to visit a local Fulani village and gain insight into the lives of these normally nomadic people. Fulani communities are seldom visited and the local culture differs greatly from other parts of Benin. Meet one of the resident families and spend the morning listening to how they came to settle here and tour their homesteads to learn more about the family structure and roles divided between women and men. You'll also witness some local cheese making for a full sense of daily life in this remote community.

Head to a Tata Somba village and meet the Tata Somba and Ditamari people who live in this region of northwest Benin. The locals here still live in their traditional homesteads that have bnot changed in centuries. Entire families have remained in these remarkable buildings that were built as fortresses to keep out intruders and wild animals. During your time here, you'll meet the locals and learn more about their daily life away from the pressures of modern society. Walk through the village and observe traditional body scaring on the village inhabitants. This practice has long been the way in which the markings represent which tribe the individual belongs to. Additional scarring is given later in life to indicate readiness for marriage, reaching puberty, and after childbirth.

The group will walk a short distance to visit a local family that produces organic shea butter. The head of the family will greet you before taking everyone to where they process the shea nuts. Meet other family members and be welcomed into their home. The local shea nut trees are traditionally used for many different things in this regions from cooking oil to body cream, hair cream, and healing cuts or reducing scarring. Learn about the entire process from harvesting to producing the butter and extracting the oil. This tree is an important source of income for so many people in this area and your quality time here will showcase that sentiment within the village.

In the morning the group will visit the community of Teneka Beri in the mountains of Benin. The locals here practice the animist religion, in which it is believed that everything has a soul. Their customs and traditions remain strong today and during your visit you'll gain further insight into daily life here. Spend time at a family homestead and meet one of the spiritual leaders within the community. Pass by their traditional shrines and learn how these remote settlements migrated here several hundred years ago while trying to escape slave raiders in the southern part of Benin. Enjoy the surrounding mountainous landscape and the natural beauty of this area few travellers ever reach.

Enjoy an afternoon visit to the sacred village of the Dankoli and the Dankoli Shrine. It's believed this site is the most powerful of all shrines in Benin and people travel from all over West Africa to speak directly with the Gods of the Dankoli Shrine seeking guidance and help for personal life. Locals must return with their promised sacrificial offering once the Gods have answered their prayers. Take in the enormity of this spiritual place, and learn a bit of the shrine's history and importance within society.

In Cove the group will witness the excitement and spiritual performance of the Gelede Masked Dance. After being welcomed by the local community by the vehicle. the group will walk with everyone to an open area outside one of the family compounds. Here, elders and traditional leaders will be present and as custom, you will great them before being seated. Here, the Yoruba and Nago people migrated from Nigeria several centuries ago. Everyone gathers and the drums start their rhythmic tune before the unforgettable performance begins. The masked dance is a celebration of all mothers and elderly women in the community and especially the Great Mother known as lya Nia in the Yoruba religion. Simply enjoy being in the moment and witness the heart of this culture, their important traditions in the region, and the respect they have for the women in their community.

Right before reaching the town of Abomey for lunch, the group will visit the recently discovered underground dwellings of Agongointo-Zoungoudojusta. In 1998 they were found during road construction in the area and are believed to date back to the 16th century during the reign of King Dakodonou. It's believed there are several hundred of these built 10 metres underground, and the locals used them as homes in order to find protection from slave raiders and tribal conflict. Explore some of the discovered dwellings during your time here and listen as a local expert discussed the history of the area.

The Royal Palace is currently under renovation so the group will enjoy a brief visit to one of the private palaces in the local area. The structures are built in the same style as the Royal Palace and a representative of the property will share the local history, customs, and various traditions as you walk through the palace. Then, it's onward to the Chameleon Temple. Here, you'll learn about the interesting history of Vodun, and the sanctuary with its unique shape of a giant chameleon to symbolize adaptability and patience in the local culture. It is also a place of worship for followers of the Tohouiyo divinity.

Enjoy a special visit to Ganvie, dubbed the Venice of West Africa. An ancient community of over 30,000 people all living in structures built on stilts over Lake Nokoue. Established in the 16th century by the Tofinu people who were fleeing from slave raiders. Meet your wooden boat at one of the jetties and watch as other locals move about the water in their boats trying to collect goods while the fishermen continue to reel in their daily catch. Ganvie is the largest community living on water in western Africa. Tour the community by boat before heading to one of the structures on dry land. Here, experience the powerful Kokou Ceremony. It's one of the most powerful ceremonies in which the local spirits are said to take over its followers, who typically fall into a deep trance-like state during the festivities. A truly unique encounters with the local population in a very unique place within Benin.

Ouidah is regarded as the Voodoo center of West Africa. It was once the only port in the country and so this is where enslaved Africas were shipped from. Most of them were shipped to Brazil, Haiti, and the Caribbean Islands. This is why there is such a strong Voodoo presence in these parts of the world. It's estimated that more than 75% of the population of Benin still actively practice the religion. The annual festival serves as a public holiday un the country and is celebrated on the 10th of January each year. Visit one of the communities around Ouidah to experience it for yourself. Community members will be gathering in anticipation Zangbeto arriving. They are traditional Voodoo guardians of the night. Over the next hour you will be immersed in the culture and history of the local people, heir community, and their spirituality.

Enjoy a half hour visit to the 30m Amazone Statue in Cotonou. This statue honours the female warriors of the ancient kingdom of Dahomey. Walk around the square, take in daily life, and listen as your CEO discusses the history of this impressive structure.

Walk along the graffiti mural in Cotonou that holds the record for the longest graffiti wall in the world. The art here celebrates the Dahomey Kingdom and offers some beautiful pieces of art as the group strolls along the wall's 940m. Gain a true sense of the city's daily atmosphere and enjoy the colourful depictions before you.

Enjoy time to stroll through the Grand Marché du Dantokpa, one of West Africa's largest outdoor markets coming in with an area of over 20 hectares. Your walking tour allows you to witness the day to day experiences of the traders here and gives the chance to see just how much is sold here. The wax print section of the market is a must for anyone looking for fabric souvenirs from your time in Benin. As a major contributor to the country's economy, this market stands as a testament to the importance of community and coming together to share different goods and services. Through the labyrinthine streets there is also the Fetish Market selling anything associated with Voodoo and a memorable area to walk through.