North_Macedonia - Church of Saint John in Kaneo
Foto: A stilt house in Ganvié (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Benin - After nearly three hours of sailing, the stilt city of Ganvié appears before us. Hundreds of wooden houses stand on stilts above the lake. Ganvié originally emerged during the time of the slave trade. Inhabitants from the mainland fled to the water to escape being captured and sold into slavery. Today, some 20,000 people still live in Ganvié. It is often referred to as the Venice of Africa. Everyone moves around by boat. As we enter Ganvié, we are welcomed by a fanfare boat playing lively music ahead of us. This draws plenty of attention, and many people come out to watch. From boats and open windows we hear people calling, “Jové, Jové.” We dock at Auberge “Chez M’,” where we’ll be spending the night. The rooms are all built on stilts. The furnishings are simple and the rooms are separated by two-meter-high walls. In the small space, there is a double bed with a mosquito net, as well as a private toilet and a shower that drains directly into the lake. It’s basic, but perfect for an overnight stay.
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Voodoo Festival of Ouidah
Benin - January 10th is celebrated across Benin as Voodoo Day. All over the country, voodoo ceremonies take place. The largest festival is held in Ouidah, right on the beach behind the "Porte du Non-Retour" (Gate of No Return). The president of Benin and the ...