{"id":12165,"date":"2026-01-28T11:36:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T10:36:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jef-le-saltimbanque.com\/?p=12165"},"modified":"2026-01-28T11:36:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T10:36:18","slug":"northern-benin-2024-the-land-of-the-tata-somba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jef-le-saltimbanque.com\/en\/2026\/01\/28\/northern-benin-2024-the-land-of-the-tata-somba\/","title":{"rendered":"Northern Benin \u2013 2024 \u2013 The Land of the Tata Somba"},"content":{"rendered":"\n


New series<\/strong>, this time in northern Benin, the land of the Tata Somba. I love this area, unfortunately located right on the edge of a zone classified as red<\/em> by the French government. In everyday life, things are calm there, but one is not entirely sheltered from a violent incursion coming from the North.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I stayed there for 10 days. One evening, a group of young people came to visit. I wondered whether it was simply a courtesy visit or something else. But the village chief with whom I was staying is well respected. We got along very well, and he even wants to build my own Tata Somba for my next visit (if the season allows it \u2014 it needs to be during winter, ideally November\/December).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I learned a great deal during my stay in this village, particularly about the use of plants and seeds. I also discovered an amazing seed for breakfast: fonio<\/strong>. Mixed with honey, it\u2019s absolutely delicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I left with regret. The rainy season was fast approaching, and I no longer had any charged batteries for my cameras (since then, I\u2019ve acquired a solar panel to avoid this kind of issue when I stay several days in a village).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope you enjoy this series as much as I enjoyed staying there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(And if you\u2019d like to be informed when new posts are published on this site, feel free to send me a message via the contact form.)<\/em>

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