Togo
Togo: Land of Tradition and Cultural Diversity
A thin strip of West African country with a surprising depth of culture, beaches, the sacred voodoo heartland, and some of the best artisan markets in the region.
Togo is one of the smallest countries in Africa, a narrow sliver running from the Gulf of Guinea in the south to Burkina Faso in the north, flanked by Ghana to the west and Benin to the east. What it lacks in size it makes up for in cultural density: the country packs an extraordinary number of ethnic groups, traditions, religious practices, and landscapes into its 56,000 square kilometers.
Lome, the capital, sits right on the beach at the southwestern corner of the country, one of the few African capitals directly on the coast. It has an energy and openness that makes it one of the more welcoming entry points into West Africa, with a strong market culture, excellent seafood, and a population accustomed to visitors.
Why Visit Togo
The Grand Marche in Lome is one of the most impressive markets in West Africa, but the real attraction for curious visitors is the nearby Marche des Feticheurs, the Fetish Market. Here you can find an extraordinary range of animal parts, dried herbs, roots, and objects used in voodoo ceremonies and traditional medicine.
The market is a working supply point for traditional healers and voodoo practitioners, not a tourist exhibit, and approaching it with respect and curiosity rather than sensationalism yields a genuinely fascinating experience.
The sacred forest of Akodesewa near Lome is one of the most important voodoo pilgrimage sites in West Africa. Thousands of people come each year to consult the high priest Daagbo Hounon and seek spiritual guidance. The site has totems, shrines, and ceremonial objects representing the full depth of the voodoo religious tradition.
The Koutammakou region in the north, also known as the Land of the Batammariba, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Batammariba people have built elaborate two-story earthen tower-houses called Takienta for centuries.
These structures, used for both habitation and defense, dot the hillside landscape in a way that has no parallel anywhere in Africa. The architectural tradition and the cultural practices associated with it are living and active.
Kpalime in the center of the country sits at the foot of Mount Agou, the highest peak in Togo. The town is known for its artisan workshops, particularly batik fabric production, woodcarving, and bronze casting. The surrounding area has good hiking through forested hills and several waterfalls within a day’s walk.
The beach south of Lome has some of the most consistent surf on the West African coast, and a small but established surf community has developed around the breaks near the Ghanaian border.
Togolese Food and Culture
Togolese food reflects the country’s cultural diversity. Akume, a fermented corn dough, is the staple carbohydrate in the south, eaten with various soups and sauces. Riz gras, rice cooked in tomato sauce with meat or fish, is eaten widely. Peanut sauce and palm nut soup appear throughout the country. Grilled fish and chicken with spiced sauces are the most popular market foods.
Togo has a strong musical tradition, particularly in traditional percussion and dance associated with various ethnic ceremonies. The Ewe people in the south have one of the most complex percussion traditions in West Africa, and their music has influenced drum kit playing worldwide through the influence of Ewe-descended communities in Ghana and beyond.
Travel Tips for Togo
Citizens of many countries, including EU nations, can enter Togo without a visa or with a visa on arrival. The official language is French. The CFA franc is the currency.
Yellow fever vaccination is required. Malaria prevention is essential. The best time to visit is November to March, the dry season. The country is generally safe and welcoming, with security incidents rare in Lome and the main tourist areas.