Trip to West Africa: Rituals, memory and living cultures

Discover the highlights of this trip to West Africa

Ganvié and Porto Novo: water, memory and Afro-Brazilian heritage

We will begin our trip to West Africa in Cotonou, the country’s main gateway. From Cotonou, we will travel to Ganvié, known as the “African Venice”. We will navigate this remarkable stilt village by canoe, gaining first-hand insight into daily life, fishing techniques and its unique social organisation.

Afterwards, we will continue to Porto Novo, the administrative capital of Benin. Here we will discover a city shaped by its colonial past and strong Afro-Brazilian influence. This stage of the trip to West Africa combines landscape, history and human connection, offering a layered and nuanced understanding of the region.

Black River and Gelede masquerade: living spirituality in West Africa

We will explore the Black River, a sacred waterway for Vodun practitioners. While navigating its calm waters, we will understand the symbolic and spiritual importance of this natural environment within local belief systems. Later, we will attend a Gelede masquerade, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This ritual celebrates social balance and female power, and represents one of the most meaningful moments of the trip to West Africa.

Abomey and the Ije villages: kingdoms, tattoos and embodied memory

On the way to Abomey, the former royal capital of Benin, we will stop at an Ije or Holi village to meet some of the last women with traditional facial tattoos. These markings express identity, belonging and collective memory. In Abomey, we will visit the Royal Palaces, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This historic complex offers essential insight into the political and spiritual organisation of the ancient Kingdom of Dahomey, a cornerstone of West African history and a key chapter of the trip to West Africa.

Voodoo ceremonies and crossing into Togo

We will take part in a morning Voodoo ceremony in honour of Shango, god of thunder and iron, followed by a Zangbeto masquerade, the traditional night guardians of the communities. These rituals reflect a spirituality deeply embedded in everyday life. After this ethnographic experience, we will cross the border into Togo and reach Togoville, the spiritual capital of the Ewe people. We will meet local priestesses and participate in an animist ceremony, further expanding the spiritual dimension of the trip to West Africa.

Lomé: colonial architecture and urban culture

We will dedicate a full day to Lomé, a small capital full of contrasts. We will visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral, built in German neo-Gothic style, and walk through the central market. Also, we will explore the Palais de Lomé, a former colonial residence now converted into a cultural centre, and the National Museum, which houses artefacts from several Togolese ethnic groups. The day will end with a visit to the abandoned Hotel de La Paix, a striking example of postcolonial brutalist architecture.

Ghana and Lake Volta: Krobo traditions and rites of passage

Crossing into Ghana, we will travel to Akosombo, on the shores of Lake Volta. We will visit a Krobo traditional chief in his palace and learn about local social structures. During this stage of the trip to West Africa, we will discover the Dipo initiation rite and spend time with fishing communities. We will canoe to a Krobo fishing village, visit a glass bead factory and attend a traditional female Krobo dance, cultural expressions closely tied to group identity.

Accra: colonial memory and contemporary creativity

We will continue to Accra, the vibrant capital of Ghana and the first West African nation to gain independence. We will explore James Town, one of the oldest districts, now a centre of artistic and cultural expression. Also, we will visit a workshop specialising in fantasy coffins, a unique symbolic art form that combines creativity, spirituality and ideas of the afterlife, adding a distinctive perspective to the trip to West Africa.

Slave Coast: Posuban shrines and historical memory

We will follow the route of the Slave Coast, stopping at several Posuban shrines along the way. Used by Asafo groups, these structures serve military, religious and communal purposes, reflecting the history and values of Akan communities. Arriving in Cape Coast and Elmina, we will explore colonial neighbourhoods and visit the slave fort, one of the most powerful and moving sites of the journey. This stage invites reflection on Atlantic history and its lasting consequences.

Kakum Forest and the end of the trip to West Africa

We will take an excursion to Kakum National Park, the last remaining coastal rainforest in West Africa. Although wildlife sightings are rare, the forest environment and suspended canopy walkway offer a calm and revealing experience.
Returning to Elmina and later Accra, we will bring this trip to West Africa to a close with time for final visits and shopping before the return flight. This trip to West Africa is designed for travellers seeking to understand living cultures, take part in ancestral rituals and establish genuine connections with local communities. It is a journey where ethnography, spirituality and history intertwine, offering a transformative experience that reflects the true spirit of Last Places.

© Photos by Jordi Zaragozà Anglès, Aníbal Bueno and Xavi de las Heras taken during a trip to West Africa.

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