Our trip to Benin 2024

Arrival in Benin – full of anticipation and nine suitcases

In March 2024, the time had come: We landed in Cotonou, Benin, in the evening – excited, a little overtired, and with nine (!) suitcases full of donations, ideas, and anticipation. The driver at the airport had a tiny car – how our luggage fit in remains a mystery. But as is often the case: somehow, it always works out. At the guesthouse, we just collapsed into bed – exhausted but happy.

Cotonou – Coconuts, Art, and a First Taste of Culture

Our first morning started with fresh coconuts from our trusted street vendor. These coconuts were our first real piece of Benin. Afterwards, we visited the imposing Amazon Monument, which commemorates the brave female warriors of the Kingdom of Dahomey.

You can read more about this history – female, combative, proud – here. Another brief stop was the painted wall of Cotonou – a vibrant artwork of color, symbolism, and urban spirit. Afterwards, we fortified ourselves with Foufou, a traditional dish.
Between beach visits, encounters with local artists, and an unforgettable dinner with Ndah's relatives, we realized: Cotonou thrives on contrasts – loud and quiet, modern and rooted. But our actual destination was already waiting in the north...

Natitingou – where the soul of the project lives and thrives

Early on the fourth day, we embarked on the long journey into the interior of the country. The bus was full, the stops bustling and improvised, and at the same time so organically organized that it fascinated us. Packages, letters, people – everything was transported. Everything was in motion.
When we arrived in Natitingou in the evening, we knew: Our real journey was about to begin.

Roots, Rediscoveries, and Visions

We moved into the old family accommodation and immediately got to work. Over the next two weeks, we visited the village where Ndah's father grew up (picture left). There, we met the women who once made traditional grass jewelry – a nearly forgotten craft that we want to revive. We talked, filmed, listened. And we felt: This is the origin of ABENIN.

 

Between Market, Mango, and Museum

Our days were intense and at the same time full of small wonders:

• the scent of fresh mangoes, picked directly from the tree in the morning
• the Natitingou Museum, where we coincidentally discovered more weavers.
• the colorful market
• the restaurant "Chez Tata Nadine," where the women soon knew what we ate daily.

Tradition, Emotion, and Authentic Encounters

The deeper meaning of this trip for us lay in the connection to Ndah's mother. It is her vision, her life's work, and her strength that have led us on this path. Through her, we are here – and with every conversation, every gesture of the weavers, every living ritual, we feel: Her story and her spirit live on here.
At a traditional festival, we met many old family friends, new weavers – and felt the power of this community. Our mission to revive grass jewelry not only gained a face here but a real foundation: supported by people, craftsmanship, and pride.

Holiday and Everyday Life – Close Together

Our days in Natitingou were a harmonious alternation between intensive project work and lived everyday life. In the evenings, we met in small bars or sat together – there was singing, dancing, storytelling. These moments were unplanned, but full of life. Every morning, Ndah's cousin's daughter brought us fresh porridge and pastries from the market – simple but loving gestures that filled our stay with warmth. It was precisely these small rituals that gave us the feeling of not just being visitors, but part of something bigger.

Farewell with Soul – Cotonou & Ganvié

 

In the last few days, we returned to Cotonou for a short time. We met our coconut vendor one last time, bought souvenirs, and said goodbye to the hustle and bustle of the city. A very special experience was our excursion to Ganvié – the stilt village on Lake Nokoué, also known as the "Venice of West Africa." A peaceful place with a rich history and a sense of timelessness.

Back in Germany – but not really gone

Back in Stuttgart, after a twelve-hour return flight, we were tired – but full of impressions, new contacts, clear visions, and true stories. This trip was more than a holiday and idea trip – it was a big step towards ABENIN.

We look forward to everything that comes! 
Your N'Dah & Jasmin