dan's+Benin+Safari

Safari through Benin



W elcomed to this  unusual  Safari through Benin. It will be always warm because it is tropical country with humidity so take a pair of water bottles with you. Do you know that France has influenced the culture of Benin and that’s the reason why the  country is French speaking. =Benin Economy bases itself on the agricultural produces and the cotton production in this west African country. = is a mix of different tribes living together. The original region of **Dahomey** was populated by different African tribes. The list of tribes include the **Icha tribe, Ketu tribe, Anago tribe and the Dassa tribe**
 * Benin-land and people **The ethnic groups of Benin have their own individual traditions and religious practices and we are going to visit some important places from this enchanting  country.
 * The various ethnic groups belonging to the society of Benin are as follows: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Fon
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Yoruba
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Peulh
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Adja
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Bariba
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Dendi
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Yoa-Lokpa
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Ottamari

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Our first destination will be **Porto Novo** the Capital of Benin. This city has a strong Portuguese atmosphere. We will visit the Ethnographic Museum which deserves a look. After that we continue with The Palace of King Toffa, where you may be treated to a performance of strange, traditional magic by the Zangbeto dancers. After that we continue the market of Porto Novo, which sells musical instruments, tie-dye cloth, pottery and baskets as well as normal food. 24% of the Population of Benin is practicing Islam 42.8% Christian 27.1%Roman Catholic and 17.3% Vodou.

<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The second place we will visit is **Cotonou:** It is the economic capital of Benin. It is also the largest city. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> With <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> about 670.000 official habitants. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">One of the most noticeable features of Cotonou may well be its taxi service. Taxi-motor cycles called **zemidjens** go through the streets and do <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 115%;">dangerous maneuvers <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">, so they carry their passengers to their destinations.



<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Now let us go to the **Datokpa market** from **Cotonou**. It is interesting to see the fetish section with crocodile, dogs and cattle skulls.




 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Quidah **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">is <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white; line-height: 115%;">the birth place of vodou cult. The rituals date back to ancient Dahomey, and are due to a snake cult, a specific form of ancestor worship. It plays the mythical rainbow serpent Dangbé an important role, is dedicated to the Python Temple. There, you can be photographed with a python around your neck.

<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> Do you Know?... That every year, in **Ouidah**, on 10th January take the big Voodoo festival place. On this occasion, from all regions of West Africa come Vodous (fetish priest), and celebrate their magical powers. The Vodou festival is a local, big event - people from all over the country come. <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> After visit the Python temple, we’ll make the slave routes along the beach.

<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">**Porte du Non-retour:** memory of the slave trade.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Next we go to Ganvie not far from Cotonou, it’ll take us just 30 minutes by car. ** Ganvie ** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">is the 'Venice of West Africa' (Lake Ganvie) where 25.000 habitants reside in about 3.000 fragile, simple homes. Today, they make their live from fishing. This city is not only special by reason of it floating city even in it is a big market.




 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Abomey **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">, formerly one of West Africa's most powerful kingdoms, it is equally interesting with explorations of the Museum of Antiquities and the hall of Reliefs. Arms Events and Amazons: King-**Agoli Agbo,** the last King of Abomey, a man with great style as well as a sense of humor, will greet you in his kingdom together with his wives and female warriors.



<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> Our last city is **Malanville** on the Border to Niger Malanville is haunted by the Niger River. The city has about 100.000 diverse population consisting of a large Muslim community, large Christian community, Arabic speakers, French speakers and speakers of local languages. <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: white; line-height: 115%;">It is the center of rice growing. The city has also a major market because the city is on the border to Niger.