Kétou - Kétou

Kétou is a medium-sized city of Southern Benin.

To know

The city of Kétou is presented as a large rural community, still underdeveloped. The tourism industry is not developed at all, although there are many hotels and inns, including one with a good reputation.

It is a predominantly Yoruba (or Nagot) city, although the Fon, Mahi and Holli communities are strongly represented there, so it has a particularly strong cultural heritage.

Kétou is far off the beaten track, making its visit interesting.

Geographical notes

The city of Kétou is located 140 km north of Cotonou and 100 km from the capital Porto-Novo. The border with the Nigeria, is located 17 km to the east, in the village of Ilara.

Background

Kétou (Ketu) is said to have been founded by Ede, son of Sopasan and grandson of Oduduwa, who ruled the kingdom yoruba of Ile-Ife (also known as Ife) the current one Nigeria. The oba (which means "king" or "ruler" in the Yoruba language) is called Alaketu of Ketu.

Ketu is considered to be one of the original sixteen kingdoms established by the children of Oduduwa in the mythical history of Oyo, although this ancient pedigree has been somewhat overlooked in Yoruba's contemporary historical research, which tends to focus on the communities of Nigeria.

The kingdom was a major enemy of the ascending kingdom of Dahomey, often at war with the Dahomeans as part of Oyo's imperial forces, but eventually succumbed to the Fon in the 1880s when the kingdom was devastated. Many citizens of Ketu were sold into slavery during these raids.

How to orient yourself

There are a number of services in Kétou, including a gendarmerie, a police station, a customs office, a military camp, a hospital, a microcredit bank, several primary schools and two colleges.

How to get

By car

Kétou is only two and a half hours and 140 kilometers from Cotonou. There are regular taxis departing from the Dantokpa taxi rank in Cotonou. The overall quality of the vehicles is very poor, so don't expect to travel comfortably. Starting from Porto-Novo, you go to the taxi rank in Ouando, where taxis depart more frequently than in Cotonou. Prices are CFA 2,500 from Cotonou and CFA 2,000 from Porto-Novo (2007). These prices will change directly with the price of gasoline.

How to get around

Kétou is not a very big city. You can get around easily on foot even though there are motorcycle taxis everywhere.

By taxi

Motorcycle taxi drivers have recently started wearing uniforms like in other parts of Benin, but they will easily be found at taxi ranks. It should never cost more than 150 CFA for a single city ride.

What see

Although Kétou's tourism sector is very underdeveloped, this historic city has several sites of interest. Kétou is a very old and important kingdom in the Yoruba tradition and therefore has a strong cultural heritage. The visit of is organized around the following sites:

• Royal Palace (At the far end of the city in the direction of Bohicon). Here it is possible to meet the king in fact the current king speaks French and it is very open to visitors. Please show him the utmost respect and ask for permission before taking any photos. Note that his hand should not be shaken and that his shoes must be removed before entering the building. 
• Akaba Idena Museum (Magic or sacred door). This site is one of the few remaining examples of traditional military fortifications in the region where the kingdom's unique ancient entrance is located, as well as many Yoruba religious altars and sculptures. A visit to the site will provide you with interesting insights into local history. The gate was at one point the only entrance into the city and is therefore protected by large fortification ditches and high walls. The site is also the center of Kétou's Orisha / Voodoo cult. There are many traditional Yoruba shrines and statues within the complex. As this is a very sacred site, it is best to see the king before visiting it. It will charge a small fee (500 / 1,000 CFA) and provide guidance. During the visit you may encounter problems with the locals. It is not necessary to give them money, but to deal with them tactfully, without getting angry as it will only make things worse.  
• Aïtan-Ola fetish (The sacred pile of garbage). This is definitely a unique site worth a visit. It is an important sanctuary of Orisha, established in the early days of Kétou's history. The garbage mound actually stands above a sacred charm, which is said to protect the kingdom in times of war. When he was first buried, the locals were given strict instructions to cover the charm with anything they could find, hence the garbage. The site is located near the Royal Palace and also offers the opportunity to discover some of the more traditional and "authentic" parts of Kétou. From the top of the pile there is a remarkable view of the city and the lively city markets, the largest of which is the Assena market. 

Events and parties

There are a large number of Yoruba religious dances and ceremonies (cult of Orisha), such as Gueledes masks (classified as World Cultural Heritage by theUNESCO), the Eguns, etc.

Furthermore, the traditions of Kétou strongly influence the African religions of the Brazil. In particular in the region of Salvador, Bahia.

What to do

Kétou doesn't offer much in the way of entertainment. As in most rural communities, Kétou's biggest attraction is its people. The city is not used to seeing foreign travelers, so you can expect a cheerful, albeit calm, welcome. It is important to be open and friendly if you want to interact with the people you meet. As in any other part of Benin, it is highly recommended that you do not distribute any gifts or money to people you have just met, as this only serves to cause problems for future visitors. Some suggestions on things to do:

• Attend a cultural event. Unfortunately, these don't follow a particular timetable, so it's very hit and miss. If you are lucky and are willing to spend the night, you could attend a Guelede masked dance, which is a heritage dance of theUNESCO. During the month of August extreme care must be taken when traveling to Kétou, as its most powerful Orisha, the Gold deity, is celebrated. These celebrations are extremely sacred and completely forbidden to women. It is highly recommended to avoid Kétou during this time, especially if you don't know anyone on site. 

Shopping

• Assena Market '. This is the main market in the region and attracts people from far away. It is quite lively and is a good way to get a taste of local life. 

How to have fun

Where to eat

No visit to Kétou would be complete without a taste of the local food specialty lafou it is a cassava and cornmeal paste it is the staple meal of Kétou and most of the local families consume it every day. It can be found in any stall or restaurant that sells food. Some recommended places to eat are:

Average prices

• Ave Maria (Between the school and the customs agents). Small but well-stocked restaurant owned by a woman that couldn't be more welcoming to foreigners. It serves chicken, rice and wagasi (a Beninese cheese). He has a big smile and an even bigger heart. This should be the first, if not the only, stop in Kétou. She has cold drinks and will make special salads if you order a day or two in advance. 
• Maquis La Detente (Out of the city in the direction Cotonou). This restaurant offers a good selection of fried fish and salad. It is also a bar. 
• Auberge Yokpodugbe (Off the road leading to the village of Ofia). Cozy, colorful and cheap restaurant where you can find great jollof rice and a variety of fish. 
• Auberge de la Cite. It has a good menu offering some western dishes. If you plan to eat there, it's a good idea to let them know in advance so they can prepare. 

Where stay

Safety

How to keep in touch

Around

For excursions in the immediate surroundings, it is best to rent a motorcycle taxi that can easily accompany you to your destination and back.

• Pobè, Porto-Novo or Cotonou: go to the main taxi rank in the city. The best time to travel is early in the morning when taxis depart most frequently. If you are leaving later, it is best to go to "Calvaire" about 2km north of the city on the road to Cotonou, where you can board taxis already on the way.
• Bohicon or Abomey: leave from the station directly behind the Royal Palace. Note that vehicles depart quite rarely from here, so the wait can be quite long.
• Surrounding villages - Anyone interested in seeing a village divided between two countries, Ilara, 17km east of Kétou, is definitely a place to visit. Right on the border with Nigeria, it can be interesting to walk around and try to understand which country you are in. Another option, just 6 km from Kétou, is the small village of Ophia. This village is said to be the home of Guelede's dance and a visit to the king will leave you with some fascinating stories about local history.

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Kétou
• Commons contains images or other files on Kétou

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