AKISSA FOREST
Adjacent to the Mono River, the natural border between Togo and Benin, the Akissa forest covers an area of over 1,300 hectares. It is known for its sacred nature, which dates back to the 13th century when the Xwla, emigrants from Tado, fled fratricidal conflicts and took refuge in the Ada forest. This people identified a sanctuary area, called Akissa. Today, the forest is still a sanctuary and retains all its mystique. It is governed by voodoo priests who have inherited a traditional system of conservation, consisting of rules and prohibitions that must be respected. Every five days, the forest is closed to the public. This day is known as Gratumbé. In addition to its sacred role, the forest harbours a rich biodiversity, some species of which have yet to be catalogued. It is renowned for its many plant species used in traditional medicine, and is home to bushpigs, harnessed guibs and sitatungas, among others. The Akissa forest is an integral part of the Mono transboundary biosphere reserve, recognized by Unesco in 2017 for its biodiversity and ecosystem services. The area concentrates a range of habitats unique to the region, including rivers, lakes, swamps, savannahs, gallery forests, mangroves and beaches. Visiting the forest is complicated by its sacred nature. You can go through the village chief or the Arifad association, which manages the area, or 1001 Pistes.
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