Benin: Ganvié, the African Venice

Ganvié is a photogenic village close to Cotonou that deserves a visit! More than 20,000 people live, literally, over the waters! It’s said it developed in response to slave raiders, as those didn’t attack through the water. I don’t know that, but even nowadays it takes one hour in a pirogue to get there (and it costs 4050 CFA per person, round trip)! 

Benin: Tata-Somba, the mud fortress

If slave raiders are coming you should hide. People in Northern Benin developed a unique way to do it.

Lost in between amazing mountains the Tammari people created the impressive Tatas-Somba, fortresses made out of mud to protect them from slave raiders. A must see!!

The fortress itself

The entrance

The stable

Hunting trophies

Big room (without physical barrier from the stable)

Kitchen

Entrance to a smaller room

Cereal storage