With over 20.000 residents, Ganvie is probably the largest lake village in Africa, although this is not official. Here’s a little guide that will help you plan your visit to this unique place.
Ganvie was created during the 16th century by the Tofinu people who lived near what is now Cotonou. They fled to Lake Nakoue when the powerful Fon tribe of Dahomey was hunting for other native tribesmen to capture and sell into slavery. According to the legend, the Fon tribe believed that water demons lived in the lake. No wonder that they were terrified to set foot into the water!
Today, 500 years have passed since the Tofinu people sought refuge in the lake, and Ganvie is now a fully functioning town based on fish farming. The village has its own shops, church, mosque, restaurants, hospital, hotels, etc. All of these buildings were built on stilts in the water. Only the school and the cemetery were built on solid ground. The soil needed in order to do so was brought on boats by the villagers.
