TOGO-HISTORY (Part 2) |
| Let us discover TOGO |
| Sedinawo Awusavodu |
| February 4th, 2004 |
| A group of people, sometimes known as a nation or an ethnic group, is different from another when its people have: A common language The same history The same artistic tradition The same way of life. In this section, we shall attempt to know TOGO along these lines. We shall discuss some of its ethnic groups with their customs and traditions Our presentations (discussions) will be done in three languages: English, French and Ewe (the lingua Franca of Togo). The following reasons explain the choice of these languages: 1. We want every Tom, Dick and Harry who is interested in this historic country, to benefit from our discussions of it, given that our readers may know at least one of these languages. 2. We do not yet have the keyboard that will permit us to write our articles in Ewe (the lingua franca) Our presentations will discuss different themes in different domains: history, customs and traditions, language and way of life. We may, at times, base our discussions on one ethnic group. Your criticisms and suggestions are welcome. We will begin by taking a glance at the country. |
| TOGO: The land and its people. |
| Togo, one of the smallest West African countries, is a long, narrow country, situated east of Ghana and west of the Republic of Benin. It extends from a narrow 56 kilometers (35 miles) Gulf of Guinea coastline to a point 650 kilometers (406 miles) inland. It has a northern border with Burkina Fasso, and provides the latter landlocked country as well as Niger and Mali, access to the sea. From the geographical point of view, Togo is a stable country, lying between the 6th and 11th degrees of latitude North, and 0 and 2 degrees of longitude east of the Meridian of Greenwich. At its widest, the country is only 120 kilometers across. It occupies an area of 56,000 square kilometers (21,620 square miles) and comprises the eastern two-thirds of pre 1914 German colony of Togo. The average width of this long corridor-like country is 56 kilometers. The population these days is nearing 6,000,000 inhabitants. Togo, often described in the literature as “the relatively diminutive silver of West African country, encompassing much of the region’s beauty and diversity”, and sometimes referred to as “Africa in miniature” has a very beautiful climate which is accountable for by its altitude and proximity to the ocean. Having become the site of many international conferences, Togo has been described as “the Switzerland of Africa”. Unfortunately, the Togo of today is politically unstable. The population of Togo consists of a variety of people belonging to different sections of ethnic groups found in West Africa. Generally, we can say that there about 40 ethnic groups in Togo, but these groups can be narrowed down to 3 large ones, namely the Ewes and their Adja related groups in the south, the Tem-kabiyè in the central part, and constellation of various Gourma groups found in the north. Togolese are very hospitable people, hence the country attracts a lot of tourists. Writing in the January 3, 1983 issue of West Africa, Howard Schissel says: “Perhaps the country’s main asset for attracting European tourists is its people. Although generalizations are often hazardous, it is not an exaggeration to say that the Togolese are a truly courteous and hospitable people. So far the inflow of tourists seems not to have altered the friendly welcome from the city-dwellers as well as country folks” |
| The economy of TOGO |
| Agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy. About nearly 80% of the population are rural dwellers, cultivating the arable lands still lying unexploited to the full. Tremendous efforts are made for a change from subsistence level of farming to a commercial type of agriculture. Food crops grown include among others: yam, cassava, cocoyam, maize, millet, sorghum, rice, plantain, banana, peas, pepper, garden egg, okro (okra), onion, groundnut (peanut). Cash crops are: cotton, cocoa, coconut, palm nut, coffee. Giant efforts are made in the direction of the fishing industry also. Small scale fishing is done in the streams and brooks for home consumption. But along the coast, specialized fishermen do deep sea fishing using canoes and nets. Animal husbandry is also practiced and it concerns itself mainly with smaller types of mammals such as rabbits. Bovine species, capable of resisting trypanosomiasis are also reared. In the manufacturing sector, the moderately developed industry with about 40 medium size firms is suffering terribly because Togo’s economy is down on its knees, the ruling regime being the cause. The most significant non-agricultural economic activity is phosphate production. An oil refinery which operated on crude oil from Nigeria also exists. A Cement manufacturing plant and a steel mill are among the industrial assets of Togo. |
| Life style |
| Togolese in general are peasant farmers, tilling family lands loosely controlled by the lineage and clan heads. Peasant farming is usually carried on by each family as the main working group, though hired labor and cooperative systems of working also do operate. Shifting cultivation, based on the bush-fallow system is the general practice. Fishing and salt making are also among the activities of the rural dweller. He uses fish traps and fishing rods for river fishing. The rural dweller sells his cash crops to commercial firms in such urban areas as Anexo, Voga, Tsévié, Tabligbo, Notsé, Atakpamé, Kpalimé, Agu Gadzépé, Sotoboua, Sokodè, Badou, Kara, Niamtougou, Kanté, Mango and Dapong. Food crops are sold in local markets. Markets are of two types: the “small markets” which are usually held in the mornings and evenings to sell food stuff and fuel; and the “big markets” which are held in special market towns usually in five day cycles. Other sources of earning include tailoring, bricklaying, carpentry, gold and black smiting, soap making, shoe making, tanning. There are other trades which include domestic crafts such as woodcarving, weaving of cloth, mats, baskets and raffia bags. Raising of animals is also one the main activities of the rural folk. A few wealthy people own cattle. Majority of the people living in the countryside raise sheep and goats which are kept in pens and let out a few hours every day to go and feed at the outskirt of the town or village. In some areas the animals are fed in the pens. The domestic animals are sold or slaughtered for the use of the families. City life differs to some extent from rural life. In most of the cities, life is just like that of any modern western city. This is how David Apter and Associates describe life in one of Togo’s cities: “ the capital Lomé, is known for its long coconut palm-fringed white beaches, shady walks, fantastic shopping opportunities and exuberant night life. The “Grand Marché”, open every day is shoppers’ paradise… Lomé is an accessible city, with the warmth and openness of a village and the vitality of a regional hub, with varied restaurants, elegant hotels and casinos, discos and nightclubs which sizzle until dawn” Only very few casinos, discos and night clubs sizzle nowadays until dawn, because there is insecurity in Lomé due to the regime’s persecution of its “political enemies”. The next theme is very interesting. Watch out for it. <--Back    Elegant Web Design LLC
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