Photos by Brian McMorrow
The village of Ganvie, located about an hour north of Cotonou, Benin is built on the waters of Lake Nokoué. With a population of around 20,000 people, it is probably the largest lake village in Africa and as such is very popular with tourists.
Photos by Brian McMorrow
The village was established in the sixteenth or seventeenth centuries by the Tofinu people, who were fleeing the Abomey kings and their brutal rule, war and slave trade. It is not clear as to why they adopted this strategy however some sources claim that since the king’s soldiers could not swim, they built themselves a village on the water, and were thereby safe from the persecutors. Other sources depict that the Kings solders were forbidden to enter into water during warfare and thus the option of building their homesteads offered a safe haven. Some sources claim the Dan-Homey's religion forbade them from attacking over water.
Tourist shop
Hotel
Toilet
To get to Ganvie you drive to Abomey-Calavie and take a boat from there. It is recommended to go with a guide from Cotonou, who is used to the hustling at the boat stands.
Ganvie Boat LandingBrian McMorrow an intrepid traveller had this to say from his journey to Ganvie, Benin.
Official Tourism Website of the Government of Benin
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