Culture of Togo

Togo's culture reflects the influences of its 37 tribal ethnic groups, the largest and most influential of which are the Ewe, Mina, and Kabye. French is the official language of Togo, but many native African languages are spoken there as well. Despite the influence of Western religion, more than half of the people of Togo follow native animistic practices and beliefs.

Three statuettes from Togo, ca. 1910
Togolese women dancing

Ewe statuary is characterized by its famous statuettes which illustrate the worship of the twins, the ibéji. Sculptures and hunting trophies were used rather than the more ubiquitous African masks. The wood-carvers of Kloto are famous for their "chains of marriage": two characters are connected by rings drawn from only one piece of wood.

The dyed fabric batiks of the artisanal center of Kloto represent stylized and colored scenes of ancient everyday life. The loincloths used in the ceremonies of the tisserands of Assahoun are famous. Works of the painter Sokey Edorh are inspired by the immense arid extents, swept by the harmattan, and where the laterite keeps the prints of the men and the animals. The plastics technician Paul Ahyi is internationally recognized today. He practises the "zota", a kind of pyroengraving, and his monumental achievements decorate Lomé. [1]

Festival

Togolese are celebrate their traditional festival according their different ethnic groups.

Agbogbo Zã is celebrate in Notsè by Ewe ethnicity in memory of the walls and the history of Agbogbo.[2] Dunenyo Zā is a traditional festival of Ewe people in south Togo. In August of every year they are celebrate their culture, Tradition and still thanking God for his peace.

Ovazu is also a traditional festival in Akposs and Akebu.[3] The traditional celebration in Gblinkomegan is Godogbe Za. Ayizan is the traditional celebration of Tsevie.[4]

Music

Togolese people are still playing the traditional music around the country. Moba people, Akposso, Ewé are teaching the traditional rhythms to their children as heritage.

Dance

Each ethnic group has traditional dances, with specific dances for different occasions. We have dance of funerals, storytelling, praise and worship. Some ethnic group are choosing the dance of marriage. There are various dances across the 5 regions in Togo.

See also

References
  1. "The culture of Togo". www.worldatlas.com.
  2. "fête historique des Ewé(Agbogbo za)". www.routard.com.
  3. "Ovazu (fête des moissons à Akposso et à Akebu)". www.togo-tourisme.com.
  4. "Ayiza (fête des moissons dans le zio)". www.t ogo-tourisme.com.


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