Caves in Northern Benin

In the North of Benin, in Donga and especially in Atakora, the nature has carved rock shelters and deep caves in the cliffs. The inhabitants of surrounding villages used these cavities to hide from enemies during local conflicts and also to escape the French army during the colonial period; additionally, they concealed their reserves inside big silos made of crude earth. Some of the caves are also sacred sites and they are still accommodating fetishes and religious ceremonies.

Village

Wooded savannah

Rocky outcrop

Inside the sacred cave

Fetish

Fetish

Headland

Masked by vegetation

Silos

Silos

Hiding place

Rock

Hiding place

Rock table

Takienta

In the forest

Granary

Granary