Kabye
Encyclopedia
Kabye is the name for both the Kabye or Kabiyé language
and peoples of the northern plains of Togo
, West Africa. The Kabye are primarily known for farming and cultivation of the stony Kara Valley area of Togo. While they are a minority ethnic group within the country of Togo, the region has experienced significant infrastructure improvements due to the country's former president, Gnassingbé Eyadema
, who was of Kabye ethnicity.
Togo is now led by Eyadema's son, Faure Gnassingbé
.
Kabye also live in northern Benin
under the name of Lokpa or Lukpa as the Kabye of Binah's prefecture in Togo
are known.
Evala is the penultimate element of this initiation rite, during which young men are separated from their families for one week, residing in special huts where they are fed and subject to mental training. Prior to wrestling, participants go on a pilgrimage which involves climbing three mountains; those who do not complete it are not initiated into adulthood. Although wrestlers are initiated regardless of whether they win or not, losing is considered shameful to the family name. The last of these initiation rites is circumcision.
Kabiyé language
Kabiyè is a Grusi language spoken primarily in northern Togo, and also by smaller numbers of people in Benin and Ghana. It is one of two national languages of Togo.-References:-External links:**...
and peoples of the northern plains of Togo
Togo
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic , is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located. Togo covers an area of approximately with a population of approximately...
, West Africa. The Kabye are primarily known for farming and cultivation of the stony Kara Valley area of Togo. While they are a minority ethnic group within the country of Togo, the region has experienced significant infrastructure improvements due to the country's former president, Gnassingbé Eyadema
Gnassingbé Eyadéma
General Gnassingbé Eyadéma , was the President of Togo from 1967 until his death in 2005. He participated in two successful military coups, in January 1963 and January 1967, and became President on April 14, 1967...
, who was of Kabye ethnicity.
Togo is now led by Eyadema's son, Faure Gnassingbé
Faure Gnassingbé
Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé has been the President of Togo since May 4, 2005. A son of President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, he was appointed to the government by his father, serving as Minister of Equipment, Mines, Posts, and Telecommunications from 2003 to 2005...
.
Kabye also live in northern Benin
Benin
Benin , officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. Its small southern coastline on the Bight of Benin is where a majority of the population is located...
under the name of Lokpa or Lukpa as the Kabye of Binah's prefecture in Togo
Togo
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic , is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located. Togo covers an area of approximately with a population of approximately...
are known.
Evala wrestling
Evala is a form of traditional wrestling practised mainly by the Kabyé of northern Togo, in West Africa. Competitors meet yearly at a festival following a retreat marking the initiation of young men into adulthood.Evala is the penultimate element of this initiation rite, during which young men are separated from their families for one week, residing in special huts where they are fed and subject to mental training. Prior to wrestling, participants go on a pilgrimage which involves climbing three mountains; those who do not complete it are not initiated into adulthood. Although wrestlers are initiated regardless of whether they win or not, losing is considered shameful to the family name. The last of these initiation rites is circumcision.