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Benin Travel Blogs

Background: Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged.

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By solstice21
January 12th 2008

Changes Africa » Benin » East » Parakou

up north

The night sky is something spectacular here in Benin. I don't know exactly why. There are many logical explanations, of course. Fewer lights, less electricity, the silence that settles peacefully over a village late at night... The other night I found myself awake and standing underneath a blanket of stars, planets, and swirling dust as the wind blew soft and cool, a gentle reminder of the great scorching desert to our north. I looked up at the sky from that spot of African ground, and I saw gods, spirits of ancient kings and queens swirling above me in search of a [View Full Entry]

By Erika
January 5th 2008

For the Love of the Game Africa » Benin » South » Athiémé

Passing

When I was a little kid I spent a lot of time playing in the dirt. I eventually had a backboard to shoot hoops, but it was on our gravel driveway; to this day I can make a basket like an ace but I dribble like my only fingers are left-hand thumbs- though not said to be ungrateful, Dad. I was able to make do up to a point, but I only really learned the game of basketball when I joined the junior high basketball team and had instruction and a flat surface. The local basketball teams here are in [View Full Entry]

By Erika
December 21st 2007

For a Change Africa » Benin » South » Athiémé

For a change, I am reporting and commenting on observations I made in the school yard of the central primary school in my town. There are two schools in one compound, and my good friend Mathurin is the director for one school and the superior of the second school’s director. There are about 400 students in my friend’s school, divided between six classes and eight teachers. Roughly double that for the total number of students and teachers in the compound. Students come to school by 8h and sweep out the classrooms and erase the chalkboards, and classes start by 8h30. Lunch [View Full Entry]

By Erika
December 21st 2007

A Caterpillar Named Laisa Africa » Benin » South » Athiémé

My youngest host brother, Feujus, is the cutest six-year old monster. His eyebrows even turn up a little, like horns. He beat me twice at UNO; he gave himself all the wild plus-four cards before dealing. I hadn’t been to visit my host family since my return from vacation, so I stayed the weekend. I watched a lot of TV- Papa had bought a small satellite and my host brothers and sister were skimming the eight channels for films and music. On Monday back at home, the waste-management tractor came through my neighborhood. We had to wait until the river left [View Full Entry]

By Erika
December 21st 2007

Hot Drinks at Nap Time Africa » Benin » South » Athiémé

I awoke from my nap thinking, ‘I might like some coffee.’ My next thought was, ‘Coffee? Are you ill Erika? It’s the middle of the afternoon!’ A third and more coherent thought was, ‘Oh, the breeze picked up. I feel cooler. That’s why I dreamt of coffee.’ I stretched, woke up Bubs who was lying beside me, and kicked us both off the mat. The best nap spot in my home is on the mat in front of the wide-open double doors, with the curtains drawn. I pull the curtains so that visitors can act like they don’t see me sleeping, [View Full Entry]

By AfricaBound
December 15th 2007

Benin: Beaches, snakes and stilt villages Africa » Benin

Houses on stilts

After some less than desirable experiences in Togo, we were glad to get to the beach at Grand Popo. We had a nice relaxing day on the beach and swiming in the pool. It was just what we needed. We had the opportunity to observe a turtle conservation project on the beach. At midnight a group of 16 of us started walking down the beach (or running) chasing after the conservationalists who were searching for a turtle that was laying its eggs. It was not well explained before hand (language barrier) that we would be running 10km searching for turtle eggs [View Full Entry]

By Erika
December 10th 2007

Soothsayer Chocolate Africa » Benin » South » Athiémé

‘Sit in your yard and watch the leaves fall.’ Dove Dark Chocolate Promise. Yes, the front porch with a book and a breeze is all well and good until you’ve done it for a week. Sorry Dove- I don’t mean to be bitter, but all I have been doing is sitting. I wish I only had a moment to watch the leaves fall, rather than that being my main activity. This first week back at post after the States was harder than I thought it would be. I was lonely as I had never felt it before. I had been used [View Full Entry]

By threels
October 2nd 2007

Benin Africa » Benin

Na het kleine gezellige Togo, steek ik de grens over met Benin. 's Morgens is de best kans op het vinden van vervoer tussen Kandé in Benin en Boukoumbé aan de andere kant van de grens. Om 6:30u sta ik op het busstation, ik wordt er nog net op tijd door iemand op gewezen dat ik me hier in Kandé moet laten uitstempellen, dus ik ga opzoek naar de douane beanmte die dat voor me kan doen. Het eerste wat de beste man tegen me zegt; ''Zo jij kan best een biertje voor me kopen''. Het is nog niet eens 7:00u!!!!! [View Full Entry]

By Erika
September 26th 2007

The Mono River Africa » Benin » South » Athiémé

Sunday

These pictures are of the flooded Mono river during the first two weeks. After the first two weeks, the river went back to its bed, but only stayed there for a week before flooding again. When we were drying out, the air reeked of rotting vegetation, but now that we are wet again, I have a fresh breeze off the water. I am told that the third time the river leaves its banks in its flooding season, which is now, big fish come with the water. (Obviously big fish don't come into my yard during the dry season...) The first two [View Full Entry]

By Erika
September 26th 2007

A Field Trip Africa » Benin » South » Athiémé

Strong Words

Working with students at the local library on the history of Athieme eventually led to a field trip to Abomey to tour the royal palace and the statue of the last Danhomeian king (Danxome being the previous name for the country of Benin) who resisted French colonization. We had a lot of fun looking at stuff and hearing blood and guts stories of ancient times. [View Full Entry]

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