TAKIENTA

The word takienta literally means "she who guards". Nicknamed "Tata Tamberma", the most beautiful takienta can be found in the village of Bassamba, some 15 km from the start of the trail. The village consists of a series of towers arranged in a circle and linked by a thick wall. These walls are built from a mixture of clay and straw. The building has a single opening, resembling a small fortification. The main façade always faces west, the direction taken by the deceased. It is flanked by two towers, of which the north tower is for the woman. The dwelling was originally a warrior's dwelling, designed to protect against tribal invasions and later, in the ^19th century, to defend against German colonizers. This is evidenced by the ruts used to shoot arrows. In front of the house are the fetishes that protect the spirits and to which chickens, guinea fowl and game are sacrificed. The horns and skulls of the sacrificed animals are then placed above the entrance to the house. The dwelling consists of the first floor, where the animals and the father of the family live, and the terrace, where the kitchen (sometimes located between floors), bedrooms and granaries are located. These are the fortified turrets that serve as granaries. Millet and corn are stored here. Access to the granary is via a traditional ladder carved from Y-shaped wood.