Festivals and Events

There are 37 ethnic tribal groups in Togo and there are a large number of festivals celebrated throughout the year in different parts of the country. These festivals reflect the diverse mix of African traditions.

-Gadao - Sokode - March - A three-day festival held in March with each day there is a different ceremony that takes place. The purpose of the first day is to thank ancestors for their harvests; the second day is known as the “Feast of Knives” and is a show of might dating back to the days of Semassi warriors; and the final day which is called “Kosso” is when woman come to celebrate the role of warriors.

-Evala - Togo - July - This festival of initiation for young ladies is held in Kabye land and locals dress in traditional costumes, with several dancing ceremonies.

-Gbagba - Kpalime region - August - A multi-day festival with three purposes; First to worship the animist deities; second to signal the end of the family cycle with the harvest; and third to celebrate the beginning of the rest period. Lots of songs and dances are performed and all are accompanied by traditional African drumming.

-Voodoo Festival - Togo - September - Held in the village of Glidji celebrating the indigenous beliefs and the start of the new year. The highlight of this festival is the sacred stone, the color of which predicts fortunes for the coming year. Blue: abundant harvests, red: a year of war, black: famine and floods, white: good luck.