Kouadangou Things to Do

1 more image

On each corner of the Takienta, is a granary, complete with a conical thatched roof. The Bassamba store millet, fonio or peanuts here amongst other things. Access is via a rudimentary ladder. Here you can see David watching a local lady climb up to check out the grain.

4 more images

This area, known as Koutammakou, is home to the Taberma or Bassamba ethnic group, whose name means good builder. There are 37 different ethnic groups in Togo, of which the Bassamba are one minority who live in the north of Togo and neighbouring Benin. They are famous for their unique architecture. Everything they do is based on tradition and ensuring they are ready to fight – such as entering their dwellings backwards for instance.

The name of the tribe who live here is Taberma which means ‘good builder’. They are known for their unique architecture. Each compound, known as Takienta, consists of tall towers connected by high walls, made from a material called banco, a mixture of clay and straw. No tools are used in the construction of these buildings, which are now on the UNESCO heritage list.

There is only one entrance in the walls of the Takienta, and that will always face west out of nostalgia - the Taberma people hail from West or South Burkina Faso. The entrance area is fashioned like a face/head, with the eyes being the holes you see near the top (these are the entrances for the spirits), the vertical decoration stripes in the middle the nose and the doorway the mouth.

The first room you come to when you enter the Takienta, is where the animals are kept under the main terrace, away from rain and the enemy.

You continue up rudely crafted stairs to the main terrace, where the Taberma spend all their leisure time and sleeping (as well as cooking during the rainy season) in small huts on top of the terrace.