ZEMIDJAN

ZEMIDJAN.

ZEMIDJAN

Zemidjan in Cotonou taking advantage of the fallen rain to wash their motorbikes

“Zemidjan” is a motorbike transport invent in Benin. It’s started by bicycle in Porto Novo.

The first name was ‘’TAXI CANAN’’, Canan is a kind of food which people like in South of Benin specially in Porto Novo. The women sellers of this food need to go early in the market and with enough food and they liked to use that bicycle as taxi. By the time going, the bicycle called ‘’TAXI CANAN’’ become motorbike.

In this time it was fast and they liked to say take me fast mean in “Fongbe” ZEMIDJAN. Till today this name stays and you can see that Zemidjan is one of easiest and fastest city transport in Benin and in some countries in West Africa. In Benin they have their union, which needs to defend their rights and in each department you can recognize them by their uniforms in cities like Cotonou, Porto Novo, Lokossa… they wear yellow uniform. In Porto Novo, Ouidah they wear blue and other colors, each city has its own color and registration numbers.

Zemidjan transport in Cotonou

The unemployment young people joined the Zemidjan from many years and each year the number growing up. There are too many Zemidjan in Cotonou. They are fast but unsafe and there are many accidents happening in the country. Sometimes thieves also like to rob them, clients and steal their bike.

Zemidjan in Cotonou

Although Zemidjan is dangerous, it is the best transport in the city from quarter to quarter and it’s very cheap. If you like to take a ride and you have a helmet, than its’s wise to wear it.

The Sacred Forest of Ouidah

The Sacred Forest of Ouidah.

The Sacred Forest of Ouidah

Iroko Tree and Panthers

The Sacred Forest of Ouidah is a high spiritual place. It was the rest place of the King of Kpasse, the First King of Ouidah who was living in Savi.

When he felt that he is going to die, he told his children that he didn’t want people to see his body. One day he disappeared and by many signs from a peacock and panther, they discover that the King turned into a small Iroko tree growing in the grass.

 

Entrance of the Sacred Forest

By his recommendation before he died, each year a spiritual ceremony is held in the forest in his memory till today.

In this forest called Kpassezounmin you can see many Voodoo Symbols which explain the different divinities.

The Sacred Tree,

you can make a wish

here which will come true