festivites
Here are some of the main festivities and holidays celebrated in Togo:
1. Independence Day: Celebrated on April 27th, this holiday marks Togo's independence from France in 1960. The day is typically marked by parades, music, and cultural performances across the country.
2. Eid al-Fitr: This Muslim holiday marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated with prayer, feasting, and gift-giving. It falls on a different day each year depending on the Islamic lunar calendar.
3. Christmas: Although Christianity is a minority religion in Togo, Christmas is still widely celebrated. Many people attend church services and exchange gifts with family and friends.
4. Vodoun Festival: Vodoun is a traditional religion in Togo, and its festivals are an important part of the country's cultural heritage. These festivals typically involve colorful processions, dances, sacrifices, and other rituals to honor the spirits and ancestors.
5. Yam Festival: Also known as the Homowo festival, this event celebrates the harvest of yams, which are a staple food in Togo. The festival involves dancing, drumming, and feasting, and is usually held between August and September.
6. New Yam Festival: This festival is similar to the Yam Festival but is specific to the Ewe people in southern Togo. It is held in early August and involves a series of rituals and ceremonies to honor the deity responsible for the yam crop.
These holidays and festivals are celebrated throughout Togo, often with regional variations in customs and traditions.
seasons
Togo has two main tourist seasons:
1. Peak Season: From November to February, the weather is cooler and drier, making it an ideal time to explore Togo's outdoor attractions. This is also a festive season with various cultural and religious events happening, such as the Fetes des Tabaski and Christmas celebrations. Recommendations include packing warm clothing for the evenings and booking accommodation and activities in advance.
2. Low Season: From May to September, the weather is hot and humid, and rainfall is frequent, which can limit outdoor activities. Prices for accommodations and tours are generally lower during this time, but some businesses may close or reduce their services. Recommendations include staying hydrated, carrying insect repellent, and being flexible with travel plans due to potential weather disruptions.
visa
The special VISA rules for visiting Togo depend on the nationality of the visitor. Some common visa types and their costs for certain nationalities are:
1. Tourist/Visitor Visa: For citizens of most countries, a tourist/visitor visa to Togo costs around $40-$60 USD. However, citizens of some African countries can enter Togo without a visa.
2. Business Visa: A business visa for Togo costs around $100-$150 USD for citizens of most countries.
3. Transit Visa: A transit visa for Togo costs around $20-$30 USD for citizens of most countries.
It's important to note that visa requirements can change frequently, so it's best to check the official website of the Embassy or Consulate of Togo in your country to confirm the latest visa requirements and cost.
souvenirs
Some of the best souvenirs to buy from Togo include:
1. Wood carvings - prices range from $5 for small pieces to over $100 for larger ones. You can find them in markets such as the Grand Marché in Lomé or in craft villages like Kloto.
2. Batik fabrics - prices range from $5 to $20 depending on the size and intricacy of the design. You can find them in markets or shops that sell textiles, such as Nana Benz in Lomé.
3. Beaded jewelry - prices vary depending on the type of beads used and the complexity of the design. You can find them in markets or shops that sell West African handicrafts.
4. Kente cloth - prices range from $10 for a small piece to over $100 for larger ones. You can find them in markets or shops that sell textiles.
5. Shea butter - prices range from $5 for a small jar to $20 for larger ones. You can find them in markets or shops that sell natural beauty products.
Note that these prices are approximate and may vary depending on the location and vendor. It's always a good idea to bargain with vendors to get a fair price.
If you have 1 week
Excellent! Togo is an amazing country to explore with so many hidden gems and treasures waiting to be discovered. Here's a one-week itinerary that will take you on an unforgettable adventure:
Day 1: Start your journey in Lomé, the capital city of Togo. Visit the Grand Marche for some shopping and try some local delicacies at the nearby food stalls. Take a stroll along the beach and watch the sunset over the ocean.
Day 2: Head north to Kpalimé, a picturesque town surrounded by mountains and lush forests. Take a hike through the beautiful Agou Falls and explore the nearby coffee plantations. You can also visit the Monkey Sanctuary and interact with the playful primates.
Day 3: From Kpalimé, make your way to Kara and spend the day exploring the Koutammakou landscape, which is made up of traditional mud houses called Tata Somba. These unique structures have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are definitely worth seeing.
Day 4: Drive to Atakpamé, a bustling town known for its vibrant markets and cultural festivals. Visit the Musée d'Atakpamé to learn about the history and traditions of the region. You can also take a tour of the nearby Akloa Waterfall or Aledjo Wildlife Reserve.
Day 5: Travel to Sokodé, a city located in the central part of Togo. Visit the Tamberma Valley, home to the Batammariba people who live in traditional fortified homes. Walk through the hills and explore the unique architecture of these ancient dwellings.
Day 6: Make your way back to Lomé and enjoy some downtime at one of the local beaches. Alternatively, you can visit the National Museum of Togo or explore the surrounding countryside on horseback.
Day 7: On your final day, take a tour of the Togoville Village, which is located on the banks of Lake Togo. Learn about the local culture and visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in the country. You can also take a boat ride on the lake and watch the fishermen at work.
I hope this itinerary gives you a taste of what Togo has to offer. There's so much more to see and do, but this should give you a good starting point for your adventure!
If you have 2 weeks
Thank you for sharing your location with me! Based on what I know about Togo, here's a suggested two-week itinerary. Let’s go!
Day 1-3: Lome - Start your trip by exploring the vibrant city of Lomé, the capital of Togo. Visit the Grand Marche and the National Museum, which offers an insight into Togo's history and culture. You can also relax at the beach and try some delicious street food.
Day 4-5: Kpalime - Travel to the town of Kpalimé, which is known for its lush greenery and beautiful waterfalls. Hiking in the nearby mountains is a must-do activity here.
Day 6-7: Kara - In northern Togo, visit the town of Kara and its surrounding countryside. Take a stroll through the market and visit the Guerin-Kouka Falls.
Day 8-9: Tamberma Valley - The Tamberma Valley, located in the northeast of Togo, is home to the Batammariba people, famous for their traditional fortress-like houses. You can take a guided tour of these houses and learn about the customs and traditions of the people who live here.
Day 10-12: Ouidah, Benin - Cross the border into neighboring Benin and explore the fascinating city of Ouidah. Here, you can visit the Temple of Pythons, the Door of No Return, and learn about the ancient practice of voodoo.
Day 13-14: Ganvie, Benin - End your trip with a visit to Ganvie, a village built entirely on stilts in the middle of a lagoon. Take a boat ride to explore this unique community and learn about their way of life.
Overall, this itinerary will offer a mix of cultural experiences, natural beauty, and adventure. From the bustling city of Lomé to the peaceful Tamberma Valley and the unique floating village of Ganvie, there is something for everyone. Enjoy your trip!
[🔒CLASSIC] Based on your location in Togo, I can suggest a variety of tourist attractions that you might find interesting. These include the Grand Marche and the National Museum in Lome, the Koutammakou landscape in northern Togo, and the beautiful beaches along the coast. Other nearby countries such as Benin and Ghana also offer a range of cultural experiences and natural beauty worth exploring.
Culture
The culture reflects the influences of ethnic groups, the largest of which are the Ewe, Mina, Tem, Tchamba and Kabre. Some people follow native animistic practices and beliefs.
Ewe statuary is characterized by its statuettes which illustrate the worship of the ibeji. Sculptures and hunting trophies were used rather than the "more ubiquitous" African masks. The wood-carvers of Kloto has their "chains of marriage": Two characters are connected by rings whittled from one piece of wood.
The dyed fabric batiks of the artisanal center of Kloto represent stylized and colored scenes of ancient everyday life. There are loincloths used in the ceremonies of the weavers of Assahoun. Works of the painter Sokey Edorh are inspired by the "immense arid extents, swept by the dry wind", and where the soil keeps the prints of the men and the animals. The plastics technician Paul Ahyi practiced the "zota", a kind of pyroengraving, and his monumental achievements decorate Lomé.
Basketball is Togo's "second most practiced sport". Togo featured a national team in beach volleyball that competed at the 2018–2020 CAVB Beach Volleyball Continental Cup in the men's section.
Mass media includes radio, television, and online and print formats. The news agency began in 1975. The Union des Journalistes Independants du Togo press association is headquartered in Lomé.
Religion
According to a 2012 US government religious freedoms report, in 2004 the University of Lomé estimated that 33% of the population were traditional animists, 28% were Roman Catholic, 20% Sunni Muslim, 9% Protestant and another 5% belonged to other Christian denominations. The remaining 5% were reported to include persons not affiliated with any religious group. The report noted that "many" Christians and Muslims continue to perform indigenous religious practices.
The World Factbook, meanwhile, states that 42.3% of the population are Christian and 14% are Muslim, with 36.9% being followers of indigenous beliefs, less than one percent being Hindus, Jews, and followers of other religions, and 6.2% being atheists or agnostics.
Christianity began to spread from the middle of the 15th century, after the arrival of Portuguese Catholic missionaries. Germans introduced Protestantism in the second half of the 19th century when a hundred missionaries of the Bremen Missionary Society were sent to the coastal areas of Togo and Ghana. Togo's Protestants were known as "Brema", a corruption of the word "Bremen". After World War I, German missionaries had to leave, which gave birth to the early autonomy of the Ewe Evangelical Church.
Demographics
The November 2010 census gave Togo a population of 6,191,155, more than double the total counted in the last census, in 2022 the Togo population is 8 680 832. That census, taken in 1981, showed the nation had a population of 2,719,567. The capital, Lomé, grew from 375,499 in 1981 to 837,437 in 2010. When the urban population of surrounding Golfe prefecture is added, the Lomé Agglomeration contained 1,477,660 residents in 2010.
Other cities in Togo according to the new census were Sokodé (95,070), Kara (94,878), Kpalimé (75,084), Atakpamé (69,261), Dapaong (58,071) and Tsévié (54,474). With an estimated population of, Togo is the 107th largest country by population. Most of the population (65%) live in rural villages dedicated to agriculture or pastures. The population of Togo shows a stronger growth: from 1961 (the year after independence) to 2003 it quintupled.
In Togo, there are about 40 different ethnic groups, the most numerous of which are the Ewe in the south who make up 32% of the population. Along the southern coastline, they account for 21% of the population. Also found are Kotokoli or Tem and Tchamba in the center and the Kabye people in the north (22%). The Ouatchi are 14% of the population. Sometimes the Ewes and Ouatchis are considered the same, while the French who studied both groups considered them different people. Other ethnic groups include the Mina, Mossi, the Moba and Bassar, the Tchokossi of Mango (about 8%).
According to a 2012 US government religious freedoms report, in 2004 the University of Lomé estimated that 33% of the population were traditional animists, 28% were Roman Catholic, 20% Sunni Muslim, 9% Protestant and another 5% belonged to other Christian denominations. The remaining 5% were reported to include persons not affiliated with any religious group. The report noted that "many" Christians and Muslims continue to perform indigenous religious practices.
The World Factbook, meanwhile, states that 42.3% of the population are Christian and 14% are Muslim, with 36.9% being followers of indigenous beliefs, less than one percent being Hindus, Jews, and followers of other religions, and 6.2% being atheists or agnostics.
Christianity began to spread from the middle of the 15th century, after the arrival of Portuguese Catholic missionaries. Germans introduced Protestantism in the second half of the 19th century when a hundred missionaries of the Bremen Missionary Society were sent to the coastal areas of Togo and Ghana. Togo's Protestants were known as "Brema", a corruption of the word "Bremen". After World War I, German missionaries had to leave, which gave birth to the early autonomy of the Ewe Evangelical Church.
According to Ethnologue, 39 distinct languages are spoken in the country, some of them by communities that number fewer than 100,000 members. Of the 39 languages, the sole official language is French. Two spoken indigenous languages were designated politically as national languages in 1975: Ewé (Èʋegbe; Evé) and Kabiyé.
French is used in formal education, legislature, all forms of media, administration and commerce. Ewe is a language of wider communication in the south. Tem functions to a limited extent as a trade language in some northern towns. Officially, Ewe and Kabiye are "national languages", which in the Togolese context means languages that are promoted in formal education and used in the media. In joining the Commonwealth, the Togolese government has anticipated opportunities for Togolese citizens to learn English.
The Human Rights Measurement Initiative finds that Togo is fulfilling 73.1% of what it should be fulfilling for the right to health based on its level of income. When looking at the right to health with respect to children, Togo achieves 93.8% of what is expected based on its current income. In regards to the right to health amongst the adult population, the country achieves 88.2% of what is expected based on the nation's level of income. It falls into the "very bad" category when evaluating the right to reproductive health because the nation is fulfilling 37.3% of what the nation is expected to achieve based on the resources (income) it has available.
Health expenditure in Togo was 5.2% of GDP in 2014, which ranks the country in 45th place in the world. The infant mortality rate is approximately 43.7 deaths per 1,000 children in 2016. Male life expectancy at birth was at 62.3 in 2016, whereas it was at 67.7 years for females. There were 5 physicians per 100,000 people in 2008 According to a 2013 UNICEF report, 4% of women in Togo have undergone female genital mutilation.
, the maternal mortality rate per 100,000 births for Togo is 368, compared with 350 in 2010 and 539.7 in 1990. The under 5 mortality rate per 1,000 births is 100, and the neonatal mortality as a percentage of under 5's mortality is 32. In Togo the number of midwives per 1,000 live births is 2 and the lifetime risk of death for pregnant women is 1 in 67.
In 2016, Togo had 4100 (2400–6100) new HIV infections and 5100 (3100–7700) AIDS-related deaths. There were 100,000 (73,000–130,000) people living with HIV in 2016, among whom 51% (37–67%) were accessing antiretroviral therapy. Among pregnant women living with HIV, 86% (59% – >95%) were accessing treatment or prophylaxis to prevent transmission of HIV to their children. An estimated <1000 (<500–1400) children were newly infected with HIV due to mother-to-child transmission. Among people living with HIV, approximately 42% (30–55%) had suppressed viral loads.
AFD is working to enhance living conditions in Lomé, the coastal city with a population of 1.4 million, by modernizing solid waste management services. The project involves enhancing garbage collection through the construction of a new landfill that meets international standards.
Education in Togo is compulsory for six years. In 1996, the gross primary enrollment rate was 119.6%, and the net primary enrollment rate was 81.3%. In 2011, the net enrollment rate was 94%. The education system has "suffered from teacher shortages, lower educational quality in rural areas, and high repetition and dropout rates".
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