- Title: Benin's Ganvie stilt village comes alive with annual festival of arts and sports
- Date: 4th September 2024
- Summary: GANVIE, BENIN (AUGUST 31, 2024) (REUTERS) DANCERS PERFORMING IN A BOAT (MUTE) DRONE SHOT OF DANCERS PERFORMING IN A BOAT SPECTATORS WATCHING VARIOUS OF MASKED MEN PERFORMING IN A BOAT (SOUNDBITE) (French) SPECTATOR, EMMANUELLA AMOUSSOU, SAYING: "It amazed me because I didn't expect everything I saw. I didn't expect this, and I was really happy to take part. I don't regret participating." (MUTE) DRONE SHOT OF GANVIE CANOE DRIVER HOLDING THE MOTOR VARIOUS OF RESIDENTS IN CANOES ARRIVING FOR FESTIVAL (SOUNDBITE) (French) SPECTATOR, LAMBERT AHOADI, SAYING: "This festival, which brings together all the lakeside people, is a great opportunity to promote our culture, nautical sports, and all the values of our lakeside community. We eagerly awaited this occasion, and it came at the perfect time." VARIOUS OF A GROUP DRESSED IN WHITE ARRIVING AT THE FESTIVAL / SOME GROUP MEMBERS SEATED IN THE BOAT MEN DANCING IN TWO BOATS VARIOUS OF VENDORS HAWKING AND SELLING THEIR SNACKS (SOUNDBITE) (Fon) FOOD VENDOR, BRIGITTE TAYON, SAYING: "This festival helps to showcase our country, especially our lakeside village. It benefits us all. Being here, I sell much more than on ordinary days." BRIGITTE TAYON SELLING BREAD TO A BUYER (SOUNDBITE) (Fon) FOOD VENDOR, BRIGITTE TAYON, SAYING: '"You see, I'm selling really well, earning 25 francs here, 50 francs there. If this festival hadn't been organised, I wouldn't be here doing my business." VARIOUS OF DANCERS PERFORMING (SOUNDBITE) (French) VILLAGE CHIEF OF GANVIE 1, AVOCETIEN DOSSOU, SAYING: "I am very pleased with what is happening here. The joy I feel is immense because what is happening on the lake here in Ganvié is astonishing. People didn't know that such things could happen here. What we've experienced since last Saturday, August 24, until this Saturday, August 31, is truly significant." (MUTE) DRONE SHOT OF GANVIE SPECTATORS WATCHING PERFORMER THROWING A FISHING NET AND THEN DANCING PERFORMERS DANCING
- Embargoed: 18th September 2024 07:58
- Keywords: Lake Performance africa benin canoes culture emerging entertainment festival lifestyle markeets tradition water west
- Location: GANVIE, BENIN
- City: GANVIE, BENIN
- Country: Benin
- Topics: Africa,Arts/Culture/Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA001079701092024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hundreds of canoes and barges thronged the centuries-old lake village of Ganvie in Benin in August for its annual festival celebrating its history and heritage with vibrant music, dance, and boat regattas, as well as traditional food and spiritual ceremonies.
The Festival of Nautical Sports, Cultures, and Arts (FESCAN) was held from August 24 to 31 and highlighted the vibrant life and traditions of the lake-dwelling community, a village perched on stilts, lying just north of the capital Cotonou on Lake Nokoue.
Canoe races were a major attraction, drawing participants from across the region.
Packed onto boats, spectators cheered on their favourite teams and savoured the lively atmosphere.
"It amazed me because I didn't expect everything I saw. I didn't expect this, and I was really happy to take part. I don't regret participating," Emmanuella Amoussou said.
Nicknamed "The Venice of Africa", Ganvie was built on water by those who escaped from slavery in the 18th century, and it is now a tourist destination known for its stilt homes and cultural heritage.
According to local legend and historical accounts, the Tofinu people fled to the lake to escape slavery and persecution from the Fon and Dahomey kingdoms.
To avoid capture, they built their homes on stilts over the lake, creating a unique and thriving community.
"This festival, which brings together all the lakeside people, is a great opportunity to promote our culture, nautical sports, and all the values of our lakeside community. We eagerly awaited this occasion, and it came at the perfect time," Lambert Ahoadi told Reuters.
Floating shops also played a key role in the festivities, with local vendors paddling through the waterways to hawk their wares.
Brigitte Tayon, a bread-seller, said she was pleased with the pace of sales and the overall event.
"This festival helps to showcase our country, especially our lakeside village. It benefits us all. Being here, I sell much more than on ordinary days," she said.
The festival also featured traditional dances performed on canoes that highlighted the deep connection between the people of Ganvie and the water on which they dwell and depend on for their livelihood.
"I am very pleased with what is happening here. The joy I feel is immense because what is happening on the lake here in Ganvié is astonishing. People didn't know that such things could happen here. What we've experienced since last Saturday, August 24, until this Saturday, August 31, is truly significant," says Avocetien Dossou, who currently heads Ganvie village.
(Production: Seraphin Zounyekpe, Ngouda Dione, Cooper Inveen) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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