Written for Ghana Reflections

Reflections of Ghana: Togo and Benin
by Christine

The Penn State group’s trip to Togo and Benin has been my favorite so far. It is interesting how two cultures could be so similar, and yet so very different. Though all are West African countries, seeing the difference between British influenced Ghana and francophone Togo and Benin was a pleasant culture shock. The first major difference I notice once driving across the border was the abundance of motorcycles and motor taxis. In most areas the motorbikes far outnumber the cars. All of the bikes during rush hour weaving in and around our bus reminded me of a swarm of bees. Continuously surrounded by this swarm, our bus first took us to tour Benin.

One of the first places we visited on our trip was the Python Village near Ouidah. In this town, pythons are viewed as sacred animals, and even as gods. A sanctuary exists for them in the village. When the people of the town come across a python, they bring it to the sanctuary. The snakes are then allowed to go free at night. There is also a priest of the pythons who takes care of prayers and offerings to them, as well as the sacred python cemetery, which only he is allowed to enter. At the sanctuary, we were allowed to pet and hold the pythons. Several brave students even wore the pythons around their necks while their picture was taken! (including me!!!!)

Next we visited one of the most important slave forts in Benin, Ouidah. Ouidah was a small fortress built by the Portuguese in the city of Ouidah on the coast of Dahomey in 1580, after which it grew around the slave trade. Here we saw artifacts like slave shackles and beads and shells used to trade slaves. Cannons were also a commodity of the time and used for slave trade. Being in a place where such significant events of history occurred is always moving.

The next day we traveled to visit the village of Ganvie, which means peaceful people. It is said that the people of this village moved into the lagoon centuries ago to avoid war and slave capture. The entire village is on stilts in the water, a good 20 minute boat ride from shore. It is amazing how this unique group of people have altered their way of life to live in the lagoon. We could see their floating market in several long boats. We also learned how they create patches of dry land by piling the mud and clay high behind fences. They primarily do this so their children have a space to learn to walk. However, we saw many children swimming and playing in the water.

One of the final stops on our tour was as fetish market. In Togo and Benin, Islam and Christianity coexist with the traditional Voodoo religion. Our group was split into smaller groups of two or three and shown into see a Voodoo priest. He then blessed each of us to have safe journeys throughout Africa. Some students then chose charms for good luck, good grades on final exams, or even to find love! The market had many strange items like horse heads, antelope skulls, hyena pelts, cobra spines and much more! One student even bargained for a pair on monkey feet! It was an experience of a lifetime to say the least.

Penn State’s trip to Togo and Benin was definitely an exciting one! This segment is just a glimpse of the great times we shared. I hope someday to return there to explore more of Togo and Benin’s exciting history, culture, and great food!