IDENTITY CELEBRATION OF THE LOKPA COMMUNITY: Kamou, a ceremony celebrated in Abomey-Calavi
The Lokpa and related community of southern Benin celebrated the Kamou identity celebration. A public square in Kpota, in Abomey-Calavi, served as the setting for this cultural event that brought together a huge crowd from Togo and several other localities in Benin. The ceremony was enhanced by the presence of personalities such as the President of the Paul Darboux Alexis Marouf DARBOUX Foundation, the Honorable Malick GOMINA of the National Assembly and the former Minister of Culture Toleba Soumanou.
It was Blaise SOGLO, in charge of cultural affairs at the Abomey-Calavi town hall, who opened the ceremony on behalf of the mayor who was unable to attend. He congratulated the Lokpa community for its cultural dynamism and highlighted the commune’s commitment to promoting cultural diversity: « The commune of Abomey-Calavi is full of cultural diversity, including that of the Lokpas, which is well represented in the commune. Like the Beninese government, the Abomey-Calavi communal council works to promote endogeneity. This is why I congratulate His Majesty Tchaa Kan II for this initiative. »
The Kamou ceremony, which initiates young people into courage and bravery, traditionally takes place through symbolic confrontations with whips, two by two, in a good-natured atmosphere. The griots, accompanied by the large tam-tam called Kamou, liven up the festival with their songs and dances. Many Lokpa artists, such as Adjima, Tata Christine and Ya Salam, also performed.
His Majesty Tchaa Kan II, initiator of this event in Cotonou, thanked the population and invited them to strengthen unity for future editions.
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