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Benin is sometimes known as the
"Crossroads of Culture", a phrase that epitomizes the blend of Ewe, Yoruba,
Fon and Somba peoples. Your trip begins in Cotonou, the commercial center
and largest city. You will visit the sprawling open air Dantokpa market
and the Artisans Center with art unique to Benin. |
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Parks in the far north, most of Benin's star attractions are within an
easy drive from Cotonou. This means you'll be able to settle into your
hotel for the whole trip. Travel just a few miles outside the city and
you enter the magical world of Ganvié, a city of 20,000 people -
built on stilts over the waters of a lagoon. Here, all facets of life take
place on the water - even the market! |
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Money: West Africa Franc
Time: EST + 5 hrs.
Language: French &
Local Languages.
Capital: Porto Novo
Population: 6.5 Million |
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During your stay you will journey
north to Abomey, the home of the ancient Dahomey Dynasties and the Fon
Empire. See the statue of the warrior Behanzin, call on the King and view
royal exhibits at the Palace Museum. On your return, you pass through Aladja,
the home of Toussaint Louverture, the liberator of Haiti. On another day,
you travel east to the administrative capital of Porto Novo on the Nigerian
border. Here lies the land of the Yoruba people who share a heritage with
Nigeria. See the 300 year old Palace of King Toffa, the Brazilian church
and the Ethnographic Museum with its masks. |
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| The highlight of your trip will
be your visit to the village of Ouidah which marks the point where
many West Africans spent their last days before being shipped as slaves
to the New World. Pass through the Gate of No Return. Tour the Slave Cemetary
and visit the Portuguese Fort History and Voodoo Museum. Ouidah is acknowledged
as the "Cradle of Voodoo". It is from there that this ancient African religion
spread to New Orleans, Cuba, Brazil and Haiti. Enter the Sacred Forest,
meet the Voodoo Pope and see sacred dances. |
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| Though Benin is only the size
of Tennessee, it has a heart as big as Texas. During your evenings you
can dine in Cotonou's many fine restaurants, explore the nightlife and
discover new friends. Wherever you go - whatever you do - you will return
with a new understanding of West Africa. |
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