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Burkina Faso
Ougadougou
Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou (or Ouaga), lies in
the centre heart of the country, standing at the crossroads
of several ancient trade routes. It's more a large country
town than a metropolis; the core central area is easily covered
on foot. There's not a great deal to see, or visit, in Ouagadougou
but what it lacks in epic monuments and grand buildings it
makes up for in wide, shady boulevards, a relaxed atmosphere
and friendly people.
Bobo-Dioulasso
Home to the Bobo people, Bobo-Dioulasso is another
African laid-back, friendly city. It's smaller and easier
to negotiate than Ouagadougou but has the same airy boulevards,
tree-lined streets and thriving market places.
Highlights include the Musée Provincial du Houët,
housed in a Sudanese-style building, it has two sets of exhibitions:
one showcasing modern African art, batik, and sculpture and
the other exhibiting traditional art of the region. For a
touch of French class, check out the Centre Culturel Français
Henri Matisse. It's got shady trees, magazines, and comfy
chairs; everything you need for a time-out from travelling.
The most impressive of Bobo's buildings is the Grande Mosqué.
It's built out of mud in traditional Sudanese style, and for
an exorbitant price the caretaker will take you on a guided
tour; less if you just want to see the inside which is the
most interesting section anyway. The old Kibidwé district
is full of artisans (mostly potters and blacksmiths) and is
well worth exploring.
Benin
Cotonou
Benin's capital in everything but name, Cotonou thrived after
the abolition of slavery, growing as Beninese, Togolese and
Nigerian expatriates returned to the region. Cotonou means
'mouth of the river of death' in Fon - a reference to the
role the Dahomeyan Kingdom played in the exportation of slaves.
Cotonou's attractions include some fairly good beaches only
a few miles from the centre of town, several good nightclubs
and craft centres. It is also one of the best places in West
Africa to eat.
Ganvie
Just north of Cotonou is Ganvié, a town of 12,000 inhabitants
who live in bamboo huts on stilts several miles from land
on Lake Nokoué. In the 18th century, the Tofinu
people built the village as protection against the aggression
of the Fon and Dahomey kingdoms; religious custom forbade
warriors from venturing into water. Now, houses, restaurants,
shops and even a hotel are built 2m (6ft) above the water.
Very early or at dusk are the best times to visit Ganvié.
Ouidah
The voodoo centre of Benin, and the next most popular destination
to Cotonou, Ouidah was the only sea port in Benin until 1908.
A major cultural and historical destination, Ouidah features
the Museé d'Histoire d'Ouidah (also called the
Voodoo Museum), various other museums and temples, a park
known as the Sacred Forest and the sacred, symbolic and historical
Route des Esclave (the Route of the Slaves). This 2.5mile
road from the town to the fabulous beach features fetishes,
statues and small villages along the route the slaves took
to the ships. Ouidah is 25miles from Cotonou, on the main
road to Togo. Taxis leave from Autogare Jonquet in Cotonou
and cost about half a US dollar. |
