Customs, beliefs, and practices
A little cultural exchange to kick off the weekend
Hi there!
I wanted to take a break from onboarding tasks and various transitional paperwork to send you all a little something different. I’ve been reflecting on my experience quite a bit and one thing that amazes me is how much I am still learning about Togolese culture and traditions. I say “Togolese” in general, but with 40+ languages and distinct ethnic groups, Togo has an incredible mix of customs and practices.
My village is an ethnic mix of Kotocoli, Kabiye, Lamba, Losso, Fulani, and some Ewe. The culture that I observe is thus influenced by many different ethnic groups. Other volunteers live in villages where the culture is more homogenous. It is definitely interesting to see the variety that Togo has to offer.
From hanging out with people and having conversations, I’ve picked up on some non-obvious cultural aspects of Togo and I thought it would be cool to share with you all. Below is an incomplete and unorganized list of beliefs/practices/behaviors that you might come across in Togo (compiled with the help of several volunteers):
When a guest arrives at your house, you must offer them the best chair you have available and get them a full cup of drinking water.
When you are eating and someone approaches or walks by, you must invite them to eat with you. The invitation is almost always declined, but it is impolite not to.
You can’t step over a pot or plate of food (even if it is covered), you have to walk around.
Chameleons are evil for a few reasons. They change colors, so they must be evil. They attract snakes, so they are evil.
Anytime someone sees a snake, people stop what they are doing and chase it with sticks and beat it to death. This makes sense because almost all species of snakes in Togo are venomous.
When you leave the house, whether it is for a few minutes or a few days, you are told to “go and come back.” People want you to be safe wherever you are going.
When you are traveling, people ask you to bring back bread for them (even if there is the exact same bread available in their own village).
When you are preparing a sauce, the food scraps (leaf stems, etc) must be swept off the floor and thrown away so that you don’t step on them. If you step on them, it is like you are stepping on the food you will be eating and it will make you throw up.
Birthdays are so irrelevant for most people. Almost no one knows their birthday, let alone celebrate them.
Many ethnicities participate in facial scarring to indicate their tribe. This is mostly done in the first two months of life and helps people identify others when they are in a new area.
Every single girl gets her ears pierced in the first 24 hours after birth to indicate the sex of the child.
Greetings are essential and typically involve 2-6 back-and-forth “how are you? Fine, and your household? Fine, and your work? Fine, and your effort? Fine, and your fatigue? Fine, and your etc…”
Price negotiation is very common. Sometimes it will take the whole taxi ride before the driver and passenger have decided on a price.
People generally prefer quantity over quality in food. For parties or special occasions, the goal seems to be preparing and consuming the largest possible quantity of food. I’ve been told, “my favorite type of food is a lot!”
The word “eat” is used in a wide range of contexts. “I ate the 200 CFA for breakfast” or “I ate the party.”
People will dance and play music all night before a funeral to guard the body from evil spirits.
After burying someone in the cemetery for a funeral, the guests will wash their hands with a mixture of water and neem because burials are considered dirty (even for those just observing).
Dog meat is eaten by a few ethnic groups and only the men eat it (and certain American women…). It gives them speed and strength!
Gifts are common; people will exchange meals, grains, fruits, bread, and even money with their friends and neighbors.
If you do an activity with someone one day, you should follow up with them the next day to see how they are doing (and maybe the day after too).
When something bad happens, witchcraft or sorcery is often brought up as a potential reason. For example, the roof blew off of the school in Ibrahim/Dylan’s village. They shrugged their shoulders and said it is because the school was built on cursed land.
Social hierarchies are very important; respecting your elders and chiefs is essential. This includes bowing to the ground, only speaking when spoken to, not making eye contact, and using the most formal pronouns.
Before pouring beer into a glass, you’re supposed to pour in a little and rinse it out first.
People are often identified as close family members when they are not blood-related at all.
When a child reaches one month of age, the mother and child must stay with the father’s parents for a month.
At events with dancing, people stick coins on the foreheads of the dancers who are doing a good job. This encourages others to pick up the pace!
You can’t sit under trees in the dark. I think this is because bats might poop on you, but I am unsure.
There’s about a million more things that I’ve forgotten to include or haven’t learned yet. You’ll just have to come see for yourself.
Take care of yourself and see you soon.
Fatty
I can't believe it's already been 2 years. Thanks for sharing your journey and experience. If in the OSU area stop by when I'm working. Safe travels home!!
This was such an interesting read. Thank you so much ~ Bryanna; PC Thailand