Celebrating Traditional Practices

d’Ando Kpomey, Togo

The local climate in Ando Kpomey features sub-equatorial patterns with distinct rainy and dry seasons. Once surrounded by shrub savannah, the village faced devastating bush fires, destroying housing, local infrastructure, crops, and food storage. This led the elders to perform traditional rituals to appease the earth gods. In addition, cultural and spiritual values offered social and emotional support to community members in times of crisis or disaster. Traditional rituals and practices provided a framework for expressing solidarity, compassion and hope in the face of adversity.

The community proposed creating a “green belt” to act as a fire buffer. With collective effort, they planted a firebreak, starting with a 14-metre stretch and now extending to a community forest up to 850 meters deep. It has become a source of great pride for the people of Ando Kpomey, a sacred place inhabited by spirits and divinities, particularly the “Nukuvizihouin” deity, the community’s protector and the cornerstone of all its cultural ceremonies. People rely on spiritual and traditional leaders to study, interpret and understand ecological relationships and environmental change. The spiritual connection to the forest fosters respect for nature and motivates its protection.

These traditional stories were passed down from generation to generation through teachings on the relationship between man and the forest during popular gatherings under the large trees in the village. These stories reinforced the values of responsibility towards forest ecosystems, encouraging their preservation.

Ando Kpomey has verbal governance rules established by family representatives and the village chief to protect the forest, enforced by a youth committee. This participatory and inclusive approach strengthens community ties, resilience, and cultural identity. All aspects of decision-making and practices, shaping the attitudes and behaviours of community members, are participatory and inclusive. This collaboration between community members strengthens community solidarity, fostering social resilience and cultural identity.