Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with Facebook
Helpfulness
In the village of Nangbani, outside Bassar, we went to see this handful of preserved iron blast furnaces from 1850. It is not so much the age of the furnaces, nor is it the style of construction, that makes them interesting, it is the fact that blacksmiths are pivotal in the Togolese culture.
Only post-menopausal women were allowed to collect the raw materials from the nearby mountains. The reason for choosing post-menopausal women was that they are considered pure, as they no longer engage in sexual activities (I sincerely hope that is not true!).
Many people would come here from nearby villages to buy the iron to make into farming implements.
The process would involve a layer of firewood inside the cone, then the raw iron materials, grain wood on top of that, topped with fire. The iron ore would then be collected at some later stage from the holes at the bottom of the cone once it had melted.
Baluga is the name of the god of Iron.
Written Feb 25, 2007
Helpfulness
Behind the palace is a courtyard surrounded by the houses of the king’s wives amongst other sacred buildings. The late king is buried in this courtyard. He chose the burial spot himself before he died. The mound has a small hole in it to allow air in so that the king’s spirit can breathe and so that he can look out and check how his kingdom is doing.
This style of burial tombs is unique to the Bassar tribe.
The second picture shows the tomb of a previous king, where a sacrifice has recently taken place. The tombs are treated like shrines.
The third picture shows the skulls of sacrificed animals hanging from the eves of a hut in the courtyard.
The fourth picture shows yet another tomb with evidence of a recent sacrifice: feathers on the top and blood on the ground.
Only the fetish priests can perform sacrifices, and there are lots of rules and customs to follow prior to sacrifices take place. As animists, the Bassar people worship the dead.
Updated Feb 25, 2007
Helpfulness
This hut (the one with the decoration on the outside wall) which is slightly off the courtyard behind the Royal Palace, is known as the House of the Dead, and only the fetish priest is allowed to enter this building.
Written Feb 25, 2007
Helpfulness
Once the preliminaries were done, the correct greetings made (we were told to say “Niyoko” to the king and his entourage), we were given an explanation of the king’s responsibilities and some history and culture pertaining to the Bassar King, and then were invited to ask questions.
The Bassar king passed away recently we were told (in fact it was one year, three months ago), and the king we met today is only an ‘interim’ king. He is the village elder and had only one tooth. The village elders and the interim king all know who will be elected to the next king, but the people don’t. They did, however, let us in the secret, so if you meet anyone from Bassar, don’t tell them that their next king will be the younger brother of the late king.
The role of the king is to look after the land and sort out problems. People would come to the king to ask advice about intermarriage between tribes. His Kingdom stretches across all the Bassar area – about 500 people.
Witchcraft is rife in Togo, and the king himself is a witch and can determine if anyone else really is a witch.
The late king had five wives who all had to leave the palace with their children when the king died. Royalty is not hereditary in the same way that it is in the West. There is no-one living in the palace at the present.
Updated Feb 25, 2007
Helpfulness
Stools are central to the Togolese culture. The stool which is supported by an elephant, symbolises power, and only the king can sit on that. The other stool, the one on the left with the people supporting the seat, symbolises the people showing respect to the king.
Written Feb 25, 2007
Helpfulness
Bassar is the seat of the Bassar King, and just outside the town, up a small dirt track, you can find the Royal Palace. The lion used a decoration on the outside walls symbolises power. With permission, you may gain entry to the Palace.
We were invited in to meet the Bassar King, but first he had to be found. He was not at home – we assume he does not actually live in the palace, but in a village nearby. Noah sent Osman with the mini bus and a local lad showing him the way, to fetch the king.
Updated Feb 25, 2007
Helpfulness
The ostrich egg on the top of the thatched roof of the palace buildings is placed there to protect the royal family against evil spirits.
Written Feb 25, 2007
1 - 7 of 7
Reviews and photos of Bassar attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Bassar sightseeing.
The ostrich egg on the top of the thatched roof of the palace buildings is placed there to protect the royal family against evil spirits.
Our members can help!
1
Bassar or Bassari is a smallish town halfway up Togo. WE reached it by crossing over by road from Ghana. We were on a two week tour encompassing Ghana, Togo and Benin, and stopped here to learn a...
Build your own Bassar page
