Customs and habits in Togo, Africa

Togo is a coastal country in West Africa. It has a small land area, but it has diversified natural conditions, lush flowers and trees, full of vitality, and beautiful scenery everywhere. Togo has a long history and splendid culture. There are more than 40 tribes of various sizes across the country. The vast majority of the residents believe in traditional fetishism, and a few believe in Christianity and Islam. It still retains many ancient customs and habits. It is a very distinctive African country.

When people from foreign countries come to Togo, they soon discover that the residents here pay attention to etiquette, hospitality, courtesy, openness to others, and a revealing personality. When Togolese people meet foreign guests, even strangers they meet for the first time, they always take the initiative to say hello, shake hands warmly, and then make a few greetings, asking about the journey to your physical condition. Then they turn to the main topic and ask if you have encountered any difficulties, what help you need, etc., which makes the newcomers immediately develop a special friendly feeling towards the Togolese people. When meeting friends who are familiar with each other, the two parties first hug warmly, then hold each other's right hands, and use their left hand to pat each other on the back. They greet each other from family to body, showing extremely close feelings. When close friends meet each other, first hold each other's hands, hug each other and kiss each other's cheeks, then hold each other's thumbs, and have a passionate conversation for a while. When locals see older foreign guests and hold a handshake ceremony, they first hold their right wrist with their left hand, and then extend their right hand to hold the other person's right hand to show respect for the guests who have come from afar, and most of the greetings are honorific.

Togolese women are passionate and unrestrained and treat people with courtesy. Whether in a prosperous city or a remote countryside, whenever they meet foreign guests, they will immediately bow down and perform meeting etiquette. The language of greetings is very measured. When answering guests 'questions, they are not only very polite, but also very appropriate. When parting, they always say "goodbye" or "Welcome to come again" with a smile. Those who come to this country for the first time are fond memories and sweet impressions.

In some rural areas of Togo, when local women meet foreign female guests, they always circle around the female guests while making rhythmic screams to express their deep joy and joy at meeting the guests. In some places, when local residents meet foreign guests, after shaking hands, they gently tap the guests 'chest position with their palms while constantly praising the guests for their very health as a greeting etiquette when meeting. If they meet a foreign friend they are familiar with, they always use the palm of their right hand to gently tap the palm of their right hand to show a warm greeting etiquette; if they raise their hands to be level with their shoulders and flip their palms back and forth, it means ordinary greetings to ordinary guests.

Togolese people love to make friends. When guests come to visit, whether they are agreed in advance or come suddenly, the host is extremely happy and warmly welcomes them. He often wants to keep guests for dinner and provide the best food in the family. Hospitality. Of course, from the perspective of etiquette, when visiting a Togolese friend's home, you should still contact in advance and arrange a time so that the host can prepare in advance, and the appointment should be made on time to not let the host feel disappointed. When visiting Togolese friends, it is very necessary to bring appropriate gifts, such as a piece of floral cloth, a short shirt or some candies. The value is not high and the cost is not much. The host will feel particularly happy and help deepen the friendship between the two parties. feelings.

The residents of the Ewe, the largest ethnic group in Togo, can be said to be one of the most hospitable peoples in the world. Whenever guests come to the door, especially foreign guests, the host is overjoyed and the whole family dances. First, they warmly welcome them outside the courtyard, and after the introduction, they serve them with drinks and fruits. Finally, they want to retain the guests for dinner, which seems sincere, friendly and enthusiastic. When a distinguished guest comes to the door, the Ewe always take out the exquisite stools they have collected at home and sit on for the guests to express their most noble courtesy to the visitors. The stool enjoys a lofty and sacred status in the eyes of the Ewe people and is a symbol of power and honor. Chiefs have a "chief bench", rich people have a "wealth bench", and religious ceremonies have a "god bench". Guests sit on stools and their families sit on the ground, showing great respect for the guests. After the guest sits on the stool, the host serves the drink and takes a sip in front of the guest to show that it is clean and non-toxic, and then holds it with both hands. This is the highest courtesy for receiving guests. Guests must take the drink with both hands, then hold the cup in their left hand, dip a few drops of the drink in their right index finger and remove it on the ground, as a sacrifice to the ancestors of the host's family, and then drink it slowly and express their gratitude to the host.

Togolese people host family banquets to entertain guests, mostly with traditional meals and home-brewed palm wine. Like many other African countries, the most famous dish served by Togolese people is roasted whole sheep. A fat and tender lamb was slaughtered on site and roasted on charcoal fire. It was tender on the outside and tender on the inside. The aroma was overflowing. It was filled in a large basin. Everyone sat around and ate together with gusto. The atmosphere was warm. During the meal, the owner constantly tore off the tender and delicious roast mutton piece after piece and presented it to the guests, and constantly advised the guests to drink palm wine. The more guests eat and drink, the happier the host becomes.

At the end of the meal, if the host has not left the table yet, the guests should sit quietly and wait; before leaving the table, the guests should repeatedly thank the host for his generous hospitality, praise the food many times, and confess that they have never had such a happy life like today. After the meal, the host will also bring out some local fruits for the guests to taste and continue the cordial and friendly conversation. When parting, most of the host would lead the whole family to send the guests away for a long distance. When shaking hands and saying goodbye, they would also present the guests with some self-produced fruits and other local specialties as gifts between friends, and then wave goodbye. Many people would also say goodbye with tears. Until the guests disappeared from their sight, the host's family would only walk home.