Ganvie

The Tofinu originally settled on Lake Nokoué centuries ago to escape slave traders, as the Dahomey Kingdom's warriors were forbidden from entering water. This historical ingenuity led to the creation of their unique aquatic village, a testament to their resilience.

Known as the "Venice of Africa," Ganvie is home to over 20,000 people who live in houses constructed on stilts in Lake Nokoué. Its inhabitants primarily rely on fishing for their livelihood and travel exclusively by pirogue, or dugout canoe.