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In the centre of Ouidah, opposite the Sacred Python Temple, is the catholic cathedral.The grey cathedral is an important landmark in the towncentre.In many towns you find churches or cathedrals of the same architecture. The fence has some nice decorations.
Walking in the garden of the Voodoo museum in Ouidah I saw this striking colourful panel with mystical eyes and snakes.My guide couldn't explain me exactly the meaning and use from it. Anyway it was once used as a door, he said. I liked the colours and the images of it.
The village of Ganvie was established by people trying to escape from the Kingdom of Abomey. In Abomey's folklore, it was said that they should not attack anyone over the water. Since that time, Ganvie has grown to a town of about 15,000. All houses are built on stilts above the lagoon, the market takes place on the water, there are even a couple of "hotels" where you could stay if you wished. The only facilities on land are the cemetary and a school. Ganvie is definitely a tourist trap, but an interesting one, worth the effort. Be careful when you are buying your tickets at the dock that you clear up the "guide" situation. They are not affiliated with they authorities on the dock, so you will need to tip them. Get this hammered out before you get on the boat, or it could turn nasty when you return. But, a good guide is useful to help explain all that you see going on.
Ouidah is a center of voodoo in West Africa. You feel that there is something different about the town and its inhabitants as soon as you enter the area. Many people have strange looking scars on their chests and glazed looks in their eyes. The most famous voodoo site in town in no doubt the Python Temple, a bit of a tourist trap but nonetheless interesting, especially for the middle school kids on our trip. They will place a python around your neck, for a price. A guide will help smooth out the prices for this. Martine was invaluable in doing this, and we left with everyone happy; the kids because of the pictures of snakes around their necks, and the staff of the temple for the pocket monet they had made today.
Ouidah was the location of at least six slaving forts. The only one left is the Portuguese fort. It has now been turned into a museum. From the fort, you can follow the "Road of No Return" to the coast from where the slaves were sent to the Americas. It is very helpful to have a guide on this route. There are lots of sights and legends that you would not see or hear otherwise. Our guide was Martine de Souza. She has worked with the BBC, PBS, National Geographic, as well as many other foreign film crews, and speaks excellent English. She has published her own booklet on the history of Ouidah. You can see a portion of her interview with PBS at the website below
You must visit one of the many villages in the Bush Country, of Benin West Africa to experince how these people have to live. Photo is in the village of Akiza of some of the many children that live here. A population of about 800 people in this village alone.These people live off the land. Despite the many signs of poverty, it is the ones that get out and work that have the nicer homes and so called luxries.
The train ride is a once in a life time experince. No words can express this experince.Just imagine several hundred people plus pigs, goats, chickens and any other living or dead animals that can be put on a train.There is very limited reserved seating. Therefore everybody along with all there animals and what ever else that they can possible put on a train will be crammed as tight as possible in one car. There is always room for one more is their favorite saying. That one more keeps adding up.
Visit the coastal town of 'Ouidah'. Ouidah was a central departure point in the slave trade of the 1400's to 1800's. An old Portuguese fort in town is now a decent little museum. Small entrance fee, knowledgeable tour guides. Small gifts available. For a 'fee' the guide will escort you (in your car) down the 'The Point Of No Return' on the coast. This is a United Nations Historic Site where slaves were loaded onto small boats on their way out of Africa. Gift 'shops' at that site, and a restaurant too. Lots of intersting history. Well worth the trip.
THE POINT OF NO RETURNa poignant and impressionable monument to the thousands of africans who were shackled and boarded on to boats that took to the Americas. It is a rather touching monument, standing by itself on a windswept beach, itself as lonely as the monument.
Museum of the city of Ouidah with its very friendly staff is worth a visit.Park of the Saints: it was good to be able to recognize all the saints of the cuban yoruba pantheon, even though they are known by other names in Benin.
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Reviews and photos of Benin attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Benin sightseeing.
Q: I shall be travelling through Ghana, Togo, Benin and Burkina Faso very soon. Any advice on what I should or should not wear...
A: Hi I am assuming from your VT name that you don't usually favour skimpy clothing? Well, just in case I am mistaken, this is not the part of the world to venture out in...
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