Discover the black river of Adjarra and other curiosities of the city

The history of Adjarra

Atawé was the founder of the city of Adjarra in 1749. Adjarra comes from the expression "Adja-ala" which means in the local language "branch of Adja-Tado".  

It is said that an expedition of women and men from Adja-Tado came to settle in an area of ​​Hogbonou, the current Porto-Novo. This expedition led by Atawé was looking for a safe land to settle and prosper. Dè Houdé who was at the head of Hogbonou at the time, realizing that the men of the expedition shared the same origin as him, welcomed them and invited them to go and settle a little further west.

Dè Houdé asked the guardian of the night, the Vodoun Zangbéto called Kinsi to identify the place required for the Atawé expedition to settle. Atawé, telling himself that he had just created a branch of his native Adja-Tado in this new land of welcome, called the locality Adja ala which literally means 'wing or branch of Adja'. This was the beginning of the foundation of the kingdom of Adjarra.

How to get to the Adjarra Black River?

Visiting the black river of Adjarra is not very difficult. For example, you can book a crossing on the mysterious river directly on a dedicated website. An alternative would be to go to the pier in the town of Adjarra to pay a guide who will take you cross the black river.

In any case, there are guides specialized in visits on the river who will be delighted to make you spend an absolutely unforgettable moment. However, make sure that certain precautions are taken for your safety. This is the case with life jackets for example, although the crossing of the black river is always calm and peaceful.

Similarly, avoid visiting the Black River during the months of June and July, which are not conducive to tourist activities of this kind due to the rainy season.

3 things to discover with the Adjarra Black River

The Black River is a natural watercourse shared by the municipalities of Adjarra, Akpro-missérété, Ifangni, Porto-Novo and Avrankou. It is one of the tourist wonders of the region and the mythical and mystical character that it presents attracts many tourists..

A ride on the black river

The black river seduces with its rich and imposing ecosystem. She is appreciated for the calm and serenity she exudes. In fact, a trip on the black river of Adjarra is above all an activity to recharge your batteries, to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the place. Relaxing during a ride on the black river and enjoying the green landscape and the rippling river is something you must do if you are visiting Benin.

Contrary to what its name suggests, the water in this stream is not black. The water is clear, but the black appearance of the river comes from the leaves of the surrounding plants which frequently fall to the bottom of the river. The black river would even have served as a hiding place for the indigenous populations during times of war.

If the river is sacred for several reasons that your guide will explain to you once there (yes! let me tease you), this allows its vegetation and fauna to grow quite easily. Thus, in addition to discovering raffias, mango trees, cola trees and other trees that waddle peacefully above the river on both sides, you will also discover a fauna made up of dwarf crocodiles, monitor lizards, and other reptiles without forgetting monkeys, electric fish, etc.  

Discover the traditional Sodabi distillery

But you will certainly be resented for visiting the black river without witnessing the harvest of the raffia palm wine. Indeed, the numerous and imposing raffias that line the river and which are present in abundance in the region are used to produce alcohol by a traditional process that is several centuries old.

Just ask and you will be introduced to the harvest of Atan, the raffia palm wine. This whitish liquid is the sap of the palm tree and the basic input for the production of Sodabi, the strong local alcohol. Appreciate the harvest of raffia palm wine and ask to see artisans at work cooking our national vodka.

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If you want to discover the production of palm oil, just ask and we will show you how this very important oil in the economy and in the life of Beninese is prepared. Red oil as it is called in southern Benin is used in food as a replacement for animal fat. 

And this vegetable oil is even often used in the cosmetics industry for the preparation of soaps and other products.  At the same time, you will be able to see other products made from raffia palms such as brooms.

Other sites to visit in Adjarra

We told you, Adjarra is an open-air museum. Besides the attractions of the black river, you can simply decide to take a walk through Adjarra to observe this so atypical, but hospitable city.

Le marché Kpétou

The Kpetou market is one of those markets that you absolutely have to visit to take the pulse of the city of Adjarra. This market, which comes alive every 5 days, will allow you to penetrate the history, culture and spirituality of the inhabitants of the city. You can also leave with memories of the ajarranou.

You will discover in this market calabashes, necklaces and even tam-tams.

The tom-tom market

Adjarra is a city of tom-toms. It is a city in which art lives and breathes. you will particularly discover in this market several types of tom-toms, whether the tom-toms used in Benin or elsewhere on the African continent. You will be amazed by the know-how of these artists, by the quality of the works and by the diversity of their skills.

It should be noted that the making of tam-tams is an art passed down in this city from generation to generation with the precision and meticulousness of a watchmaker. Impressive !

Le musée d’Adjarra

This museum is one of the few thematic museums as enriched as you will see for several kilometers around. Here you will discover several varieties of masks. From Guèlèdè masks to Zangbéto masks, you are bound to learn something new in this cultural space.

See our article on the museums of Benin to discover more about the museum of Adjarra. But already, know that the entrance is only 2000 FCFA or about 3 €.

The City of Blacksmiths

Adjarra being a resolutely artistic city, you can discover the blacksmiths there, these illustrious craftsmen supposedly endowed with mystical powers. They are the ones who provide the inhabitants with agricultural tools, music and hunting. If you visit the workshop of a blacksmith, there is a good chance that the latter will make you benefit from his art. You will take the opportunity to understand and appreciate the place of these craftsmen in the daily life of the peoples of yesterday and today.

The local culinary art: pork

What to say, Adjarra has the reputation of being the world capital of roasted pork, ahead of Yopougon in Côte d’Ivoire. And this reputation is far from being usurped. Do not hesitate to enjoy this culinary specialty that many restaurants will offer you during your stay.

You could be tempted by the braised pork with pear (pear is a sometimes red paste obtained from the preparation of cassava flour). Of course, you can let yourself be tempted by other variations such as pork soup, pork skewers, etc.

We particularly recommend the restaurant Chez HOUSSOU, which has made a name for itself in catering thanks to pork. This restaurant, whose fame now goes beyond the national framework, also has the advantage of being close to the Black River.

 In short, Adjarra is rich in tourist and craft attractions. Do not hesitate to stroll on the black river, but also take care to enjoy the many attractions that surround this river as mysterious as it is magnificent.