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The
Benin Story: Welcome to West
Africa
by
Jerry W. Bird
Being
part of the Africa Travel Association brings
abundant rewards, but nothing could have prepared
me for the pleasant surprise I received on the eve
of ATA's 22nd Congress in Cotonou. In fact, the
entire fortnight in Benin was a whirlwind affair...
one that has becomea permanent bookmark in a
lifetime of surprises and serendipity. Our group
from North America stepped right off the Air
Afrique jet into the heat of the night and what
seemed like an exotic Arabian Nights style movie
set. Imagine the scene in cinemascope and high
fidelity, wraparound sound; an exotic garden party
on the spacious patio of the Benin Sheraton in
Cotonou (now under new
management).
The
scene was lit by a big tropical "paper moon, that
seemed to hang in the sky for our personal benefit.
ATA's opening gala was a riot of colorful costumes
- a whirling dervish with high energy dance
routines, leaping and spinning to the ever present
beat of African drums.
How's
that for an introduction to Africa?
Jet-Setters
Meet
: While
strolling through the Medina in Marrakech, Morocco
in December, 2002, we had the pleasure of a chance
meeting with a familiar friend, Marie-Elyse
Gbedo, former Tourism Minister of Benin. Later
that day we visited with her at the Imperial Borj
hotel for an interview session regarding her
visions for West Africa in the coming decade. This
meeting was timely, since Ms. Gbedo was in the
Marrakech for the African Professional Women's
Association (details to come Conference. Watch for
her comments and a description of the Imperial Borj
hotel later in this section.
Benin,
West Africa offers many
delights
By the
late
Eunice Rawlings
If you're
looking for an unusual, affordable vacation, be
sure to put Benin on your "Agenda Africa" for the
coming year. Benin is an enchanting West African
nation roughly the size of Pennsylvania, yet it is
a complete destination with enough variety to fill
a two-week vacation. From the drier northern
elevations, to the lower lying south, this
hospitable country is a safe and a friendly place
to explore. After gaining independence from France
in 1960 Benin went through some difficult times.
Today Benin is a multi-party democracy made up of
six provinces. The president, who is the head of
the government and chief of state, is elected for a
five year term. In 1999, voters went to the polls
and elected members of parliament, reinforcing the
stable political atmosphere.
Benin is now a
model African democracy. Benin can be reached by
road or air. Cotonou, the country's most populous
city and physical capital, has a good airport,
staffed by friendly officials. Entering by road can
be a real treat and often takes less time than by
air.
The coastal trip
from Ghana to Benin takes about 5 to 6 hours, and
that includes stops at border crossings, a
delicious lunch in Togo, and a visit to Lome's
fascinating 'fetish' market. One of the most
noticeable features of Cotonou may well be its taxi
service. Taxi-motor cycles called zemidjens ply the
streets in death defying maneuvers, carrying
passengers to their destinations.
The city boasts
excellent markets, the most notable being Topka or
Dan Topka, where bargaining is the order of the
day. There is a colorful craft market and several
boutiques where quality goods may be
purchased.
Ouidah is
must for every visitor to Benin. A former center
and trading post of the slave trade, Ouidah
presents a thoughtful and thorough look at this
turbulent period, through documentation and
physical reminders such as the "Road of Slaves."
Dagbo Hounan, the chief Superior of the Voodoo cult
in Benin will welcome you to his compound and later
you may be the guest of King Kakanakou and his
court, enjoying a libation and entertainment.
Abomey, formerly one of West Africa's most powerful
kingdoms, 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. In former times, the leaders preferred
female warriors (Amazons) as they fought fiercely
and were less likely to resort to treachery than
their male counterparts. Porto Novo, Benin's
nominal capital is not far from the Nigerian
border. Dating back to the 16th century, the city
has a strong Portuguese atmosphere. The
Ethnographic Museum deserves a look, as does the
Palace of King Toffa, where you may be treated to a
performance of strange, traditional magic by the
Zangbeto dancers. The market sells musical
instruments, tie-dye cloth, pottery and baskets as
well as the usual everyday fare. Try to see it!
Ganvie is the jewel in Benin's crown.
Only 30 minutes by road from Cotonou, Ganvie is the
'Venice of West Africa' where 20,000 people dwell
in about 3,000 fragile homes, perched on stilts in
the middle of Lake Nokoue. The Tofinu fled from the
Fon and Dahomey Kingdoms and settled here in the
18th century. Today, they make their living
exclusively from fishing. For the adventurous, a
couple of funky hotels are available for overnight
stays. Benin 's Northern Territory offers delights
of its own, including game viewing, which will be
covered in a future edition of Africa Travel
Magazine. Southern Benin will embrace you with the
warmth of its people, delicious foods, uplifting
entertainment, a fascinating history and a wealth
of life-long memories. For further information
contact Agence Africaine de Tourisme, BP 2508,
Cotonou Benin. Phone: 229 31 54 14, Fax 229 31 54
99. Represented in North America by Africa Tourism
& Trade Bureau, Phone: 818 597 9017, Fax 818
879 9767, E-mail: eunicemr@pacbell.net
About
the writer. Eunice
Rawlings
In her memory
We recommend these
other Quality Hotels, all close to or on the beach.
They supported us with advertising and we're proud
to return the compliment.
Hotel
Accor Aledjo
PO Box 2292 Cotonou, Benin
Tel. 229 33 05 62, Fax 229 33 15 74
Hotel Croix du Sud
PO Box 280 Cotonou, Benin
Tel. 229 30 09 54, Fax 229 30 02 18
Hotel del La Plage
PO Box 36 Cotonou, Benin
Tel. 229 32 25 61, Fax 229 31 25 60
For
professional services contact:
Top Tours & Safaris
Theo Wilfrid Adebiaye, Owner
03 B,P, 3672, Cononou, Benin
Tel. 229- 311-087, fax 229-31.10.88
Photo
Credits: Eunioce Rawlings and Muguette
Goufrani
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