The African Venice: the City-lake Ganvie

This is not a post about the flood. This is a post about the city of lake Ganvie in the Republic of Benin – the largest in Africa cluster of houses on the lake. Today 20 thousand people called Ganvie home. However, the city in the center of the lake Nokoue appeared long ago — it is more than 500 years. Sometimes referred to as the African Venice.

(35 photos)

1. In the early 17th century present-day Benin was called Dahomy and was one of the most powerful States in West Africa.

2. The main ethnic and linguistic group there was a folk Background, which made a deal with the Portuguese.

3. Instead of having to send their people into slavery, they agreed with the Portuguese that will hunt them and sell slaves from other tribes.

4. Tribal warriors in the background were numerous and powerful, and few people from other tribes could protect themselves from them.

5. And then someone from the tribe Tofino came up with something.

6. The name of this wise man long ago lost in history, but he realized that he can use religious beliefs of the warlike tribe.

7. According to legends, the tribe's background could not approach the settlements on the water.

8. According to the laws of the tribe background, any group of people that lived in the water were safe.

9. Lake Nokoue is huge. The city of Ganvie appeared on its waters as a means by which people could escape slavery.

10. Not surprisingly, the name of the city means those who have found peace here - it can be translated as "We survived".

11. Since then, Ganvie is constantly changing due to the geography of this place, but in the end, the tribe has developed a complex and successful culture on the lake.

12. Of course, there are poor areas, as elsewhere, but in General the people of Ganvie live pretty well.

13. Periodically, the lake there are small Islands, which are immediately used as pasture for animals.

14. Naturally, the main staple food here – fish.

15. There is an excellent system of underwater corals, which live and feed on the different species of fish.

16. Most residents use boats as the main means of transportation because the nearest coast a couple of kilometers. Even if you just went to the neighbor for the latest gossip, it is necessary to do to the boats, which are called pies.

17. If you find a tourist guide in Benin, probably there Ganvie will not be described as a popular place for tourists. Here are just a few artisan shops and a single hotel and restaurant.

18. The hotel "Chez Raphael" looks pretty friendly. Besides, a meeting place for the local "Golden youth".

19. A pharmacy and a hospital is just a couple of MNU boat ride away.

20. Even in this godforsaken place you'll find the familiar logo of your favorite drink.

21. Family life in Ganvie very unusual.

22. Men mainly do the fishing and sell their catches to their wives.

23. Then they are obliged to sell fish at the local market to feed their children and their husbands.

24. After a trip to this city on the lake, you will understand what really holds these houses together.

25. In Ganvie there is a market on the water, but basically, the whole city gradually spreads in different directions.

26. Town planning is not so important for residents of Ganvie, but the big dry land rose school, and soon there will be a cemetery.

27. The emergence of modern things such as cans and plastic, also created problems.

28. When all the products were biodegradable, throw them out the window of the house to the water was easy.

29. Now water more and more polluted with wastes of modern life.

30. If Ganvie wants to continue to thrive, this problem should be solved as soon as possible.

31. In 1996, the city entered the list of UNESCO world heritage.

32. Most likely in the next decade the city will grow as the Benin attracts more and more attention of foreign tourists and adventurers.

33. Otherwise, Ganvie is nothing to do but just to admire the unusual life of local people.

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