Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Togo

It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. It splits into two vertiginous falls of 80 m, one in Togo and the other in Ghana (Vli Falls). Its refreshing and clear waters invite us to swim. It takes an hour to walk from the village of Yikpa, with a guide. Bring water, the climb is quite long but accessible (too difficult for children). Through the mountain, you can see Ghana. Space for a picnic.

The Aklowa waterfall reaches nearly 80 m and has its source in an underground river. The access to the waterfall is not easy and somewhat sporty on the way. It takes about 45 minutes to walk to the site. Bring water, fruits, cap, sun cream and swimsuit. As Badou offers few decent hotel facilities, it is advisable to visit the waterfall from Kpalimé if you have a vehicle or from Atakpamé if you have to travel by public transport. From Badou, count about 500 FCFA by taxi-brousse.

Not far from Pya Pittah or a little further down the road, in Tcharé, are traditional forges. Train rails and truck rims are collected and then melted down. The metal is worked and shaped with a granite stone. The smiths make castanets, hoes or arrows for hunting. Their work can be appreciated on site. However, they are not always convenient when it comes to "leaving something".

The word takienta literally means "she who guards". Nicknamed "Tata Tamberma", the most beautiful takienta are located in the village of Bassamba, about 15 km from the beginning of the trail. The village is made up of a series of towers arranged in a circle and linked together by a thick wall. These walls are built with a mixture of clay and straw. There is only one opening in the building, which looks like a small fortification. The main façade always faces west, the direction taken by the deceased. It is flanked by two towers, of which the north tower is for the woman. The habitat was originally a warrior habitat, designed to ensure protection against tribal invasions and later, in the 19th century, to defend against German colonizers. This is evidenced by the ruts provided to shoot arrows. In front of the house are the fetishes that ensure the protection of the spirits and to which chickens, guinea fowl and game are sacrificed. The horns and skulls of the sacrificed animals are then placed above the entrance to the house. The house has two floors: the first floor where the animals are housed and the terrace where the kitchen (which is sometimes also located on the middle floor), the bedrooms, and the granaries are located. These are the turrets of the fortification that serve as granaries. One stores there the millet or the corn. The granary is accessed by means of a traditional ladder carved in a Y-shaped wood.

The group hosts about 40 weavers who work on beautiful handmade looms. If you are lucky, you will be able to admire the work of some of them on site. In the store, you will find beautiful handicrafts: loincloths, dresses, men's clothes, traditional outfits, bags, scarves... Not far from the weavers, you will be able to appreciate the work of traditional blacksmiths.

It is the original place where the fetish priests met. The two cheese trees, one representing the male principle and the other the female principle, are surrounded by white cloths that make the place sacred. It is here that ceremonies are held to celebrate the birth of several children from the same birth. This ritual takes place on the eighth day of birth. And the belief says that any pregnant woman passing near this place can give birth to twins!

The district of Xétsiavi has two very beautiful fetishes. The female fetish is located on the convent square. Its mission is to watch over the protection of children. Just in front of it is a sacred stone that has the power to stop the rain. To do this, the inhabitants must make offerings and pour gin, red oil and a mixture of water and corn on the stone. A little further on is the male fetish, which heals and makes the rain fall. In the Galapé neighborhood, the fetish of the neighborhood can be seen, to which sacrifices are offered.

Right by the lake is the village square where voodoo ceremonies are held in September. According to tradition, in order to chase away the evil spirits from their homes, the inhabitants swept their houses and placed the rubbish in a corn leaf, which was then thrown out of the town. The square is also used for traditional judgements. It is said to be charged with such a mystical force that it would annihilate all powers. It was in this square that slaves were gathered to be sold and sent to the colonial empires.

It is necessary to ask for an audience with the chief of Kparatao to be able to visit the place. It is preferable at this level to be accompanied by a guide who knows the habits and customs. The chief still reigns over the Tem, which are spread over Benin, Togo and Ghana. He settles many social conflicts and administers justice. He will entrust you to a guide who will open the doors of the houses where the tombs of the warriors and some antiquities of the time are located.

Traditional weaving on crafts. A not to be missed.

A former refuge during tribal wars, this cave is now called the "Bat Cave" because of the abundance of these mammals in this place. The presence of these animals dissuaded the Ashanti warriors from seeking out more of their Ewe enemies; as a reward for this protection, the local populations prohibited the consumption of bats. This site can be reached after a twenty-minute walk from the village of Kouma-Adamé.

For a unique, life-size experience in the shaping and decoration of traditional pottery, using ancestral know-how. The women go deep into the bush, digging deep holes to extract quality clay. They then make the pottery entirely by hand, before using a snail shell for the finishing touches. There's also the folklore of carrying the pottery on their heads to market in Tsévié.

About 8 km east of Natchamba, it is possible to visit a traditional Konkonba chiefdom. Once a warrior people, this ethnic group is now known for being a great producer of yams. You can ask to meet the chief for an interview. You will learn more about the organization of this chiefdom. Behind the reception hall are some beautifully painted huts. Don't forget to bring a present to the chief.

Here is the biggest waterfall in West Africa: 175 meters high! Little known by the locals, it nevertheless dethrones the Yikpa waterfall, north of Kpalimé, and the Wli waterfall, in Ghana. On the other hand, the water only flows from June to January. Its access by Bassar is much easier than the access to the waterfalls of Kpalimé, but the distance is longer. However, count about 2 hours of rather bad tracks, starting from Bassar. When you arrive in the village, you must ask to meet the village chief to introduce yourself. It is best to be accompanied by a guide.

Without doubt the most beautiful site of the region. Only the Nok caves have been "fitted out" in order to allow their visit. They are also called the caves of Nano because they depend on the village. When you arrive in Nano, you have to contact the guide Mikabini Koulbème, who will give you a presentation of the place and will guide you towards the iron staircase on the edge of the cliff which leads to the caves. You will go inside the fault, sometimes at a height of one meter, between each attic, the whole facing a vertiginous panorama. These caves were used as a shelter and refuge for the native population during the various periods of insecurity that occurred in the region from the 17th to the 19th century. A lookout was located on the heights, in charge of warning the population. When a danger arose, he lit a fire to warn the villages. The women and children would then take refuge in the caves. The village could live in autarky for several weeks. Many granaries (134) can still be seen, as well as chicken coops that were compartmentalized to save space. They are cylindrical, oblong or semi-spherical in shape and open upwards. Carved in the traditional architectural style from local materials, these granaries contained the crops. A small spring ensured the water supply. The caves and granaries of Nok and Maproug are on the list of sites proposed to the Unesco World Heritage.

The Dalwak cave is about 4 km from Dapaong, on the road to Mango-Kara. Follow the road for about 2.5 km and turn right. Originally, it was used as a refuge during the ethnic wars (about 700 years ago), then during the colonization period. Today it has become a place of pilgrimage and retreat, which explains the presence, at the entrance, of a statuette of the Virgin Mary. As you leave the site, don't miss the superb panoramic view as you follow the pipes in the direction of the Water Board.

The International Center for Agropastoral Development is a training center in agriculture and fish farming in Togo and neighboring countries. It was created in 1984 by a Togolese couple, who returned to their country after studying in France, with the objective of training and accompanying young people in efficient agropastoral techniques. More than a hundred young people learn agricultural and transformation techniques. It is possible to visit part of this 18-hectare ecological farm and appreciate the work of these young farmers.