Togo Local Customs

  THE FLAG OF TOGO
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  • THE FLAG OF TOGO
      THE FLAG OF TOGO
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  •   Local Customs
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  •   Local Customs
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  • Cooking spaghetti/eggs
      Cooking spaghetti/eggs
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  •   Local Customs
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The Calabash

by grets

The so called calabash container is named after the calabash tree. It is the fruit or gourd which is used to make the containers so widely used throughout Africa (and other parts of the world), and is one of the earliest cultivated trees in the world grown not for food but for utilities. The fruit is hollowed out and dried and it is used for cleaning rice, carrying water and also just as a food container. Small gourds are used as bowls to drink palm-wine (see Off the Beaten Path tips for more details). It is also used to make certain musical instruments.The calabash is considered sacred, and will not be thrown away, even if damaged.

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The Esron Bush

by grets

Noah told us the name of this medicinal bush was ESRON - but I have been unable to find any details about it on the net since returning home. He told us it has antibiotic qualities and is used by the locals to treat all manner of diseases.

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The Togolese pram

by grets

In West Africa you never see mothers pushing their babies in pushchairs or prams like you do in Europe, they are carried on their mother’s back in a piece of cloth draped tightly around her waist, with just the baby’s head sticking out.

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Royal Stools

by grets

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.

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Bassar Tombs

by grets

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.

Tip Photo
Don't put your finger on your nose.

by Alpha_Ghana

In the Lome area, never put your finger at the root of your nose, it is a big insult for a lot of people.In fact, the tribe of the president was wearing a bone in the nose some dozens of years ago. When they want to insult someone like being real bush and illetrate, they put the finger on the nose at the same place than the bone was inserted before. Some of them can fight you for this insult, even if you are just on your way to scratch your nose!

The local dress code

by sarahandgareth

It's very common in Africa to see women dressed in brightly-coloured outfits, often in two pieces, with perhaps an extra strip of material that's used to carry a child. Wildly colourful men's shirts are also quite a feature. In Togo, however, what is really striking is the number of men wearing what look like pajamas to a Western visitor - that is, a shirt and pants made from a patterned fabric, which looks almost comical on a tall man, but which locally is very fashionable. The market cloth-sellers are mostly women, but there were plenty of men purchasing fabric for their next outfits, in colours I would never dare to wear, but they carried it off with aplomb!

Rules I have learned in Africa

by Zuzka

There are a few rules I have learned in Africa:1. In Africa, you musn't be in hurry and under stress because of the unponctualiaty. It is useless. The perception of the time is totaly different from the perception in Europe.2. Do not plan to much. Prepare yourself for the fact that you cannot follow any exact schedule. Be open and flexible, let the things happen and be ready for adjusting your plans. 3. African people sing and dance almost all the time. Late in the night, very early (if it is Sunday in the town - day of the mass), during your visite in the village... The best thing is to start dancing with them.4. If you are white, it means you are rich (= you have a lot of money). Do not try to contradict it.

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Flag Beer

by lalikes

Local beer is called Flag Beer. Pretty good. Not much of a beer enthusiast so my opinion could be jaded but still...try it anyway. You're there already, right?

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Loofah

by grets

As I have explained in another one of my Togo tips, the baobab tree is a useful shrub. Here you can see a loofah made from the fibres of the trunk of the baobab tree.

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Local traditions and culture in Togo

Top 3 Hotels in Togo

Mercure Lome Sarakawa  Lome

 2 Reviews and 27 Opinions  A very nice, comfortable/upper class hotel with amazing swimming pool. Staff very helpful.... 

 Hotels in Lome

MERCURE LOME SARAKAWA 3M  Lome

 1 Review and 27 Opinions  I have stayed in this hotel for a week in 2005 Sep on my way to accra from cotonou. I must say that... 

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Ibis Lome Centre  Lome

 1 Review and 10 Opinions  Hotel Ibis is old, but still represents the best among the hotels in Lome. Price is approx. 75 € 

 Hotels in Lome

6 Hotels in Togo
 
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Local Customs: Cities in Togo
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  2. Kouadangou Local Customs
  3. Djandje Local Customs
  4. Kante Local Customs
  5. Niamtougou Local Customs

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Popular Regions in Togo

Prefecture de Lome Local Customs  Prefecture d' Aneho Local Customs  Circonscription de Bassar Local Customs 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Any advice and tips on a short vacation to Africa? I have less than 14 days and want to see as much as possible and also relax on... 

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A: I would certainly recommend the "auberge" at Grand Popo in Benin for relaxing and being on a nice beach. Quite frankly the beaches are not that great in Togo, the ocean... 

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