Benin, Togo & Ghana

Benin – I have travelled several times to this beautiful small country. It is always fascinating, especially during the Vodoun Festival (a national holiday every year on the 10th of January). I witnessed also several other ceremonies and mask dances. It is very interesting to see how the landscape changes from the South to the North – from humid with lagoons, coast and rivers through hills and forests up to the savanna dry land. And with the landscape also the people change, their houses, traditions, dresses. Click on the pictures to enlarge!

Togo – a tiny streched country west to Benin, famous for its Unesco Site of Koutammakou with the impressive mud dwellings, its people and the religious ceremonies such as the fire dance in Sokodè. But there is much more – colorful markets, the capital Lomè which is a melting pot of cultures and the rich nature with waterfalls, butterflies and forests. Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Ghana – I found it very interesting, a country between past and future. Ancient traditions, innovative tecnology, rich nature, smart people. Of course, the old slave forts on the cold coast touched me deeply, the impressive ceremony of the Akwasidae festival was a wonderful contrast. The canopy walk in the Kakum National Park is something special. The Bosumtwe lake was one of the most peaceful places I ever visited. Click on the pictures to enlarge.