Gogounou

Gogounou is a town in Northern Benin.

Understand

Passing through the heart of Gogounou is Rte 2. The town's charm can't be embraced while flying by in a taxi or charter bus. Market day, every Friday, brings colorfully dressed vendors of a potpourri of cultures. Tourists will see Bariba, Peuhl, Tuareg and Guando in their unique, vibrant, attention-stealing garb.

The bazaar provides a mix of items varying in utility; nex to mangoes, tomatoes, and rice a vendor of traditional jewelry makes change for the voudoun healer seeling dried crocodile bead, bat wings and snake skins.

A strong Muslim presence is also reflected in the market. Gold-gilded ornate copies of the Qu'ran, prayer mats and beads as well as embroidered hats are common place. The 17:00 call to prayer is also an impressive display of the normally quiet village's strong, rich cultural diversity.

The best times of the year to visit are

• Oct - Jan: great weather, tabaske and Ramadan
• April: Bariba fete

Get in

• Taxi from Parakou = CFA 2000
• Taxi from Kandi = CFA 500

See

After the Bariba party in Nikki, Zoungou-Pantrossi (21k west of Gogounou) hosts another Bariba fete. Horse riding, kings parading, folklorique groups dancing - culture! The date changes yearly, but is always in April.

Do

• View wildlife in Zoungou-Pantrossi.

Eat

• Bean balls and fried yams on the road to Bagou
• Great Beninese home cooking at the bar/restaurant d34 (trois puissance quatre), found on the highway on the north end of town on the west side of the road.
• Yam Pilee (mashed yams) - Village center, across from the market/auto gare.

Sleep

It's best to stay in Kandi (42 km north). You'll find air conditioning, water, etc. A home stay is suggested. Some houses have electricity from 16:00-00:00. It's certain that any place you stay in Gogounou will make up for the lack of luxuries with hospitality.