News in Persons

The name of the tribe who live here is Taberma which means ‘good builder’. They are known for their unique architecture. Each compound consists of tall towers connected by high walls, made from a material called banco, a mixture of clay and straw. No tools are used in the construction of these buildings, which are now on the UNESCO heritage list. Everything these people do, in all aspects of their lives, is based on readiness to fight, including entering the Takienta (compound) backwards. That way they can be ready facing the outside world if the enemy should attack; never be taken by surprise.

There are 37 different ethnic groups in Togo, of which the Taberma are one minority who live in the north of Togo and neighbouring Benin. There is only one entrance in the walls of the Takienta, and that will always face west out of nostalgia the Taberma people hail from South Burkina Faso. The door is fashioned like a face/head, with the eyes being the holes near the top (the entrances for the spirits), the stripes in the middle the nose and the doorway the mouth. The first room you come to when you enter is where the animals are kept under the main terrace, away from rain and the enemy.