Home
Contact
About
Privacy
Links
Travel Forum
Submit Article
Africa
Asia
Australia
Oceania
Antarctica
Canada
Central America
Caribbean
Europe
Middle East
South America
EUA
USA

More Benin
Information:

Benin Travel Information

Benin Luxury Travel

Benin Adventure Travel

U.S. Department of State for Benin

Benin on Wiki

Airfare

Hotels

CONDOS
One Million Condos
Buy - Sell - Rent

RESORTS
Your every whim is catered to by your own personal Butler at Sandals Resorts!

Travel Articles Benin

FREE TRAVEL BROCHURES BENIN - FREE TRAVEL ADVICE BENIN
TRAVEL INFORMATION BENIN

Travel Articles Benin

The Internet's best Benin Travel Articles...
Choose a country...

Benin   Botswana   Burkina Faso   Cameroon   Congo   Egypt   Eritrea   Ethiopia   Gambia   Ghana   Ivory Coast   Kenya   Lesotho   Libya   Madagascar   Mali   Mauritius   Morocco   Mozambique   Namibia   Nigeria   Reunion   Rwanda   Sao Tome     Principe   Seychelles   South Africa   Swaziland   Tanzania   Togo   Tunisia   Uganda   Zaire   Zambia

A Journey to Republic De Benin in West Africa: My Personal Experiences and the Nigerian Situation Author: Emeka Esogbue Not quite long this July, 2008 I set out on a journey to Republic De Benin to satisfy my curiosity because so many interesting things have been said about the country particularly on how organized that society is and how sweet roads in Benin are compared to what exists in our sleeping giant of Africa called Nigeria. I had been motivated by the saying by my father which that “if a child decides to remain in his farm he would think his father’s farm is the biggest of all farms in existence”. By the way, Benin officially referred to, as “Republic De Benin” is a country in West Africa. This country is bordered to the west by Togo, to the east by Nigeria, to the north by Burkina Faso and Niger while the seat of government of this country is cotonou, its capital is Porto Novo. Until recently (in 1975) Benin was officially known as Dahomey. Part of the official history of Benin claims that the name ‘Benin’ has no proper connection to Benin City or Benin Empire now situated in modern day Nigeria, still certain aspects of the history of the old Benin Empire asserts or seeks to establish that the modern name of the country owes its origin to this once great empire because the influence of the empire extended to country (Benin). Perhaps someday Historians may have to work towards this aspect of African history to establish the claim and counter claim to help us gain more insightful knowledge on how the people of these two countries related much beyond biases as each aspect of the history of these two countries are trying to justify its own. History can never be rewritten. Any attempt to do this will therefore amount to an attempt adjust the hand of clock either by trying to move it forward or backward. History remains history having been occasioned by either the activities of man or nature itself. We are told the name ‘Benin’ was picked as a neutral name in replacement of ‘Dahomey’ but where the origin of the name or word derives should also be of essence to historians who will now seek to establish whether a link exists with the Benin of Nigeria or not. Anyway this article will work outside the history of Benin instead will dwell on the social organization of this very society. In other words, how the people of this country do things compared to other bigger countries such as Nigeria with all our revenues derived from our much-publicized oil will be discussed here. Oil may not be all that a country needs to better the lives of its citizens after all. This is what the present situation of Nigeria tells us judging from our experiences in the country today. Only a Nigerian living in the country and not a wealthy politician or government contractor will adequately understand the real situation of the country and what the common man is going through. Once I set out to discover Republic De Benin like Mongo Park and Lander Brothers in July 2008, the road leading to this country from Nigeria was indeed a rough one with very serious traffic jam. At Okomaiko bus stop, passengers awaiting vehicle stood in the rain waiting with utmost patience to board a vehicle. Nothing would have deterred us not even the rain because we are all used to it. There was simply no cover at these bus stop. Buses attempting to stop and convey these teeming passengers were often scared away by the presence of the law enforcement engagements most of whom were also threateningly running in pursuit of these commercial vehicles even in the rain. Some of these vehicles could even render one’s ‘Christmas clothes’ torn. We soon managed to catch a bus after standing in the rain for about 45 minutes without any visible shades at the bus stop. The journey though was a quiet and peaceful one with only the police occasionally stopping us to exchange the usual ‘Nigerian greetings’ with the driver of our bus whom seemed to understand every intricacy connected with driving to this country. He must be an experienced man indeed. We soon arrived Benin after about two hours drive. After the usual procedures at the Seme Border between these two countries, we caught another bus heading for Missebo. Much to my surprise, the people of this country working at the border could communicate in both French and English, and I thought it a deliberate action from the government of Benin to ensure that communication was readily available to the citizens of both countries. Even the commercial motor drivers, petty traders, and money exchangers were not left out. This is a gain over their Nigerian counterparts whose citizens have never in any way been encouraged to understand or learn French by the Nigerian education system to become advantageously armed their citizens with the two international languages. It was also amazing to discover that road and notice boards in the country also existed in French and English languages, a development I very much admired because it gave us the English speakers unlimited knowledge of activities in that country. Excitingly too some of the citizens of this country could at least passably communicate in English and I started to wonder if the knowledge was gained from the education sector in that country or as result of the relationship with Nigerians in the country majority of whom were Ibo. There was really no time to ascertain from any of them how they are able to do this. At first sight, you are complimented with ‘bonjour’ but when you respond with ‘good morning or good afternoon’ in English you have set off a conversation with them in English. One Nigerian was at business center to make a call, when she attempted to correct the telephone attendant grammatically the response of the attendant was that she should try and understand French too. We all reasoned with her. If the education sector of this country achieved this then it’s so surprising because it is easier for camel to pass the eye of a needle than for a Nigerian student to speak French because he/she learnt it Nigerian school. Benin must have some wonderful schools too. Benin I must comment presents some of the finest roads in West Africa and Nigeria cannot in anyway rank with this country. Road signs were completely visible starting from Seme border. Streetlights were never missing. At my age I cannot remember the last time I saw the streets of Lagos lit up with streetlights much less other parts of the country like Aiyetoro, Ogun state, Ibusa, Delta state, Etinan, Akwa-Ibom state, Ihievbe, Edo state, Obiangwu, Imo state, Ihiala, Anambra state and indeed other parts of northern Nigeria. Nigeria’s stranger (traffic lights) were also on mounted in all parts of Benin instead of the regular traffic wardens usually accosting us on Nigerian roads. It is unnecessary to state here that motorists and cyclists diligently complied with the instructions of these traffic lights. The last time I saw a functional traffic lights in Nigeria was in 1981 in Festac town. Though I have been told that there are about two or so at Marina Road of Lagos Island, in Lagos. Have you ever seen a kind of vehicles responsible for the cleaning of roads? If you are a Nigerian in Nigeria and have not, you need to take a quick trip to Republic De Benin and see one before it is too late to do so. I cannot tell how often these vehicles clean these fine roads but these roads present mats or sorts of beds to lie. If these kinds of vehicles exist in Nigeria, will Lagos and some other Nigerians have to carry out the monthly environmental sanitation exercise? Again which particular ministry in Nigeria is responsible for this exercise? Why will an oil rich Nigeria expect its citizens to come out en masse on monthly basis for cleaning exercise when certain vehicles can do it? The last time I saw these vehicles at work in Nigeria was also in Festac town, Lagos and in 1979. Again I bet that a Nigerian living in the rural Jesse, delta state would argue that no such vehicle exists. My enquiry at the Immigration office of that country in Cotonou showed that the staff go on break at 11.30 am during which nobody is ever attended to not even the bigwig politicians only to resume around 3.00pm. Bribes (‘settlements’) are never obtained to encourage private attendance to anyone. We have a lot to learn from these people of Benin. On our way back to Nigeria at about 5.15 pm, we had an easy ride all through the territory of Benin and received warmth farewell from the security operatives in that country with very easy passage made possible by good roads and free flow of traffic encouraged by the police who were always by the side of the roads observing developments on the roads with their whistles intact in their mouths with absolute readiness to carry out their duties. At Seme border, the Benin side of the border absolute orderliness allowed us free departure from this beautiful and well-organized country into our own very ‘Naija’ (Nigeria) The first enquiry I received from my Nigerian security man at the border was whether I was a Nigerian which though was not a bad one because I assumed he actually wanted to determine my identity which he was ignorant of but when after every proof I presented to him failed to properly identify me as a Nigerian I knew there was much more to it than met the eyes. The Beninese cyclist trying to convey me across, a little inside Nigerian side of the border became enraged and in an emotional outburst told the security man that I was his brother. By the way I could not determine whether this man was a policeman, immigration officer, customs officer, road safety official or even Agbero (tout) because he was appeared in musty. I was soon angered when he responded to the Beninese cyclist that I was not his brother. “So you would deny me, a Nigerian for no good reasons? I queried. “If you desire some money tell me and I will readily grant your request but not to deny me your Nigerian brother” After I tipped him with some money he became apologetic. I had told him that he had no reason to deny me completely in the presence of a foreigner. “What if I were in danger would you have readily denied me giving away to my predators just because of money? He pleaded more and more with me and I soon left him alone. Back in Nigeria, I was woken from my sleep inside the vehicle I boarded by profuse heat occasioned by the heavy traffic jam that welcomed us back into the country but some for patriotic reasons I too would have denied the country as my own but I soon accepted it as a fate presented to me against my personal wishes and will by my leaders in the country. Amazingly, we counted up to 22 police, customs and immigration check points from the border to Badagry, not to mention many more existing after Badagry with stern looking security men armed to the teeth all of who frequently halted our vehicle and doing their usual Nigerian businesses much to our discomfort. One Cameroonian sitting by me inside the vehicle inquired from me if Nigeria was under war and I laughed aloud not knowing what to answer but another Nigerian passenger who all along had appeared more patriotic than the rest us but with occasional criticism of our leaders was to tell him that it was the culture in the country. This impediment to our movement continued until I set down at Agboju and the mother of all battles being power failure welcomed us. The whole city was in darkness and no one recognized the other in darkness. As I hoped to hear children scream ‘up NEPA’ I soon fell asleep still worried in my sleep as I wondered on when things will take shape in Nigeria and when the country will compare with other tinier countries in the same region. Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/a-journey-to-republic-de-benin-in-west-africa-my-personal-experiences-and-the-nigerian-situation-480584.html About the Author: Emeka Esogbue hails from Ibusa, Delta State, Nigeria. He is is a Historian and International Relations Analyst and Author with lots of tremendous published and unpublished works. emekaesogbue@yahoo.com

Things To See On Your Holidays In Benin Author: Andrew Gibson Benin constitutes a long stretch of land perpendicular to the Coast of the Gulf of Guinea. It is the former Dahomey, the so-called most beaten track by Europeans of any Africa. The history of Benin can be rooted to the chain of kingdoms. Benin is a conservative country and you should dress well and behave in order to respect their culture and so as not to offend. I would suggest the best time to visit this place, with regards to its climate, the idea is to visit the Southern area from December to March and July/August while visiting times for the Northern part of the Country is from December to April. If you are interested to explore the history of Benin, one extraordinary and astonishing museum is the Abomey which is referred to as the Royal City, the capital of Dan-Home, and is known as the ancient Kingdom. It has one of the most remarkable museums of Africa. The artists and craftsmen, weavers, jewellers, woodcarvers, iron and brass workers are famous far beyond the boundaries of the Republic of Benin. Tourists can also try visiting another museum, the Quidah, known as Whydah in English, the Museum City. Quidah shows the European invasion with the earliest Portuguese, English, Danish and French trading posts or strongholds. It is great to see and discover the remains of the ancient haven from which the slaves were boarded and shipped to America. The unique Porto Novo offers a good experience. This is the City with three Names (Porto Novo, Hogbonou, Adjatche). It is the administrative capital of Benin, right in the middle of the Yoruba land. There are also important museums in this particular area but the difference here is Adjogan music which is prevalent to Porto-Novo. The style of music is played on an alounloun, a stick with metallic rings attached which jingle in time with the beating of the stick. They say that the alounloun descend from the office staff of King Te-Agdanlin. The music is played as a tribute and respect to the King and his ministers. It is also being used in the city's Roman Catholic churches. If you are a lover of nature, one of the greatest tourist attractions here in Benin can be found at Natitiogou. This area has castle-type Tata-Sombas. There are also traditional huts of the Tanekas and other tribes in the North where there are the richly varied fauna of the National Parks of Pendjari and W. This is one of the highlights of visiting Benin and indeed the whole of West Africa. You will discover numerous different species of birds as well as different species of mammals including baboons, lions, elephants and water buffalo. The Tanougou Falls, a natural waterfall is also a famous attraction of Benin. If you want you can relax and do some swimming, the natural pools located at the base of the waterfall are refreshing and can be used free of charge. It is a natural treasure to be enjoyed. Kota Falls is also another attraction where you can gain the experience and gain insight into the natural beauty of Benin. Ganvie is the Africa's unique floating villages built on stilts. It is the fishing village. There you can also see the lake market. Try to experience the motorboats or dugouts which are available for trips across the lake to the Ganvie. During the trip there are Akadjas made of stakes and bushes in the shape of open circles or triangles driven into the bed of the plantless Lake. Seeking shelter among the foliage, the fish can be easily caught or kept for breeding. Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/things-to-see-on-your-holidays-in-benin-405967.html About the Author: Andrew Gibson is MD of Direct Holiday Bookings. It has holiday villas and self catering holiday apartments to rent on line as a holiday home rental. To see an example of Holiday Rentals in Benin have a look at Holiday Rentals

Scientology Volunteer Ministers West African Goodwill Tour Continues in Benin Author: Linda Wieland Scientology volunteers present effective solutions to the people of Djougou A team of Scientology Volunteer Ministers is continuing their work in Benin, in Djougou, the largest city in northwest of the country. Benin has major challenges to overcome: half the population is living below the international poverty line and only a third of the adult population is literate. With their motto, “Something CAN be done about it,” the Scientology Volunteer Ministers are working with officials and civic leaders, providing workshops, seminars, courses and personal help to groups and individuals. The tour has been helping schools throughout Djougou with workshops on the technology of study, developed by L. Ron Hubbard. The workshop provides students and teachers with the means to gain the most from their education. Over one recent two-week period, the Tour delivered workshops at six Djougou schools, reaching 50 teachers and more than 800 students. The Scientology volunteers also provide seminars, workshops and courses at their big yellow tent. One of these seminars covers the use of Scientology assists, procedures that help people who are ill, distraught or injured. While they do not take the place of medical attention or first aid, assists address the emotional and spiritual side of trauma, and help the person recover fully and quickly from injury, stress or shock. “I am very sure I will apply what I have just learned to help others feel an immense sense of relief,” wrote one man on completion of this seminar. “I thank the team of Scientology Volunteer Ministers,” wrote another, “It is as if they came here especially for me.” A woman who attended a seminar on the raising of children said it changed her attitude and approach to parenting completely. Before the seminar she would get very frustrated with her children and she did things she later regretted. She left, confident that she can now really help her children and treat them with the same respect she would give to anyone else, no matter their age. “I thank the Scientology Volunteer Ministers for their help and kindness,” wrote another person who visited the Tour at their tent. “I am now capable of solving problems. I assure you that I will apply what I learned to help humanity.” The Scientology Volunteer Ministers West African Goodwill Tour is one of ten such tours, reaching out into remote locations. They provide training and one-on-one help using technology in the Scientology Handbook . For more information visit the Scientology web site. Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/scientology-volunteer-ministers-west-african-goodwill-tour-continues-in-benin-1061685.html About the Author: Linda Wieland writes for the Scientology Press Office in Los Angeles, CA.

Free Travel Brochures and Travel Information!
Let us help with our Free Travel Guide

You can travel...even if you have to save awhile to do it.
You need a vacation destination and a plan. You can have ALL the fun researching and planning for your Vacation Of A Lifetime and we're here to help.
Much better than a free travel brochure, find your country below, click, and read the best vacation articles the internet has to offer. Then, let us provide up to three travel specialists we choose for you based on their experience with your destination.
More than 12,000 travel specialists covering more than 2,000,000 world destinations.
→ Never a penny spent unless and until you purchase a service!

Benin   Botswana   Burkina Faso   Cameroon   Congo   Egypt   Eritrea   Ethiopia   Gambia   Ghana   Ivory Coast   Kenya   Lesotho   Libya   Madagascar   Mali   Mauritius   Morocco   Mozambique   Namibia   Nigeria   Reunion   Rwanda   Sao Tome     Principe   Seychelles   South Africa   Swaziland   Tanzania   Togo   Tunisia   Uganda   Zaire   Zambia

Copyright ©2002-2010 OceanView Graphics and Design   Home   About   Contact   Privacy & Attributions    Links   Sitemap    Submit/Reprint Article

                     
Blogger  Delicious  Digg  Facebook  MySpace  StumbleUpon  Twitter  Technorati  Yahoo  Reddit  Fark
Be sure to Bookmark or Comment about Newslt.com Travel Pages... Yell it real loud!!!