Ganvie is a lake village in Benin, lying in Lake Nokoué, near Cotonou. With a population of around 20,000 people, it is probably the largest lake village in Africa and as such is very popular with tourists.
The village was established in the sixteenth or seventeenth centuries by the Tofinu people, established on the lake because the Dahomey's (a slave trading tribe) religion forbade the Fon warriors from entering water, therefore the lagoon was a safe territory for other tribes.
Originally based on farming, the village's main industries other than tourism are now fishing and fish farming.
I rarely do touristy things so this was very touristy yet interesting. The only stops we made were to three souvenir shops. While in the boat we even saw children on the boats. Our guide said that most families own at least 2 boats, one for the children to take to schools and the other for the parents. In addition, he told us that the wood that the homes are made out of is a very specific red wood that is resistant to water. Since it is not completely waterproof, the stilts have to be replaced every 20 years or so.
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