Things to see and do Togoville

Built in 1910 in honour of the Holy Martyrs of Uganda, it houses the reproduction of the canoe on which the Virgin Mary appeared in 1973 on Lake Togo. Beautiful frescoes depicting birth until Jesus'resurrection, share the Building with paintings of black saints. In front of Our Lady of Lake Togo, we discover the gallery where Pope John Paul II celebrated an open mass mass during his visit of 1985.

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!

One should not expect a sumptuous palace, it is a simple residence in the heart of the Galapè district. When the king is present, it is possible to meet him. Otherwise, his descendants organize a short guided tour during which they tell the story of King Mlapa III, who signed the treaty annexing Togo to Germany with the explorer Nachtigal. The house houses the royal throne on which the king's descendant still administers justice every Saturday morning. In the courtyard are the remains of a German cannon.

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.