The town of Ganvié is built on stilts primarily for reasons of safety and practicality. Historically, the residents chose the waters of Lake Nokoué to protect themselves from attacks, particularly from the slave trade, and the stilt houses facilitate their way of life adapted to aquatic conditions.
In the 17th century, the creation of Ganvié is directly linked to the difficult context of the time: the region was suffering from raids and the slave trade carried out by the powerful kingdom of Dahomey. In order to escape these attacks, the populations of the Tofinu ethnic group and related groups had the clever idea to build their new city on stilts in the middle of Lake Nokoué. Why? Simply because local traditions prohibited the warriors of Dahomey from fighting in aquatic environments. Thanks to this clever strategy, Ganvié, now nicknamed the "African Venice," was able to develop peacefully on the waters, protected by this original natural barrier.
The inhabitants of Ganvié cleverly built their village on stilts in the heart of Lake Nokoué primarily to protect themselves from enemy attacks. In the 17th century, during the slave trade, the neighboring kingdom of Dahomey often sold captured populations as slaves to European merchants. Water then represented a significant strategic advantage. The Fon warriors, excellent soldiers but forbidden by their beliefs to fight on water, could no longer easily reach the communities living deep in the lake. As a result, by literally living with their feet in the water, the inhabitants of Ganvié ensured their safety and effectively avoided raids and armed conflicts. A true aquatic fortress, but without walls!
In Ganvié, living on the water requires a certain social organization focused on fishing and navigation. From childhood, residents learn to handle a dugout canoe, moving on water becomes as natural as walking. Floating markets are a real way of life, where everyone sells or exchanges their goods from their boat, skillfully moving through the floating village. For children, school is also on the water: every morning, they take their personal canoe or rely on transport provided by older brothers or sisters. The community has developed a strong social network where mutual aid is central, especially for collectively building or maintaining the stilts and the dwellings. Religious and traditional ceremonies also adapt to the water, some being practiced by boat, near family altars set on stilts or submerged in the lagoon. In Ganvié, culture is truly shaped by water.
Living above the water allows one to directly enjoy the resources of the lake. Residents can easily fish from their homes, ensuring daily access to fresh food. There’s no need to go far to bring back food to fill the plates; it’s eco-friendly and convenient. Moreover, this entirely lakeside life avoids clearing land for construction, thereby preserving the surrounding biodiversity. No concrete or heavy machinery, just stilts and locally renewable materials like wood or resilient plants. Stilt houses provide natural protection against flooding, as variable water levels do not directly impact the homes. This lifestyle also limits waste on dry land by encouraging recycling and responsible resource management. Less impact on the ecosystem, a sustainable approach to available resources, and stress-free adaptation to sometimes capricious nature: all good reasons to live on the water.
In 1996, Ganvié was added to the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list, thus demonstrating the exceptional nature of this ingenious form of traditional housing.
The city of Ganvié is often referred to as 'The Venice of Africa' due to its houses, schools, and markets entirely built on stilts, connected by navigable canals and floating stalls!
Ganvié is home to approximately 30,000 residents, making it one of the largest inhabited lake cities in West Africa today!
The wood used to build the stilts of houses often comes from the mangrove species and is specifically chosen for its properties that are particularly resistant to moisture and the tropical climate.
No, there are other stilt cities or villages around the world, such as Kampong Ayer in Brunei or the floating villages of Inle Lake in Myanmar. However, Ganvié is often referred to as the 'African Venice' due to its cultural and historical significance.
Yes, residents must regularly maintain their constructions to avoid wear due to humidity, prevent the risk of flooding during the rainy season, and ensure the overall stability of the structures on stilts.
Stilt houses cause very little damage to the aquatic ecosystem as they allow for the free circulation of water and aquatic species, while also reducing the ecological footprint, particularly in terms of intensive land use.
Ganvié was founded in the 16th century by the Tofinu people seeking refuge from slave raids to protect themselves on Lake Nokoué.
The residents primarily use canoes as a means of transportation, moving easily between homes, floating markets, and various activity areas on Lake Nokoué.
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