Togo, Africa
Jenifer Duden
TE 804
Fall 2011
Basic Information
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Official Name Togolese Republic
Population 6,458,605
Capital City Lomé (pop. 737,751)
Currency CFA Franc
Languages French (official), local dialects
National Day 27 April, Independence Day
Religions Muslim, Christian, locals beliefs
Map
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
1st January
New Year's Day
13th January
Liberation Day
24th January
Anniversary of failed attack at Sarakawa
24th April
Day of Victory
27th April
Independence Day
1st May
Labour Day
15th August
Assumption
24th September
Anniversary of failed attack at Lomé
1st November
All Saint's Day
25th December
Christmas Day
Movable Holidays
Easter Monday and Variable Islamic Holidays
Brief History
• The Voltaic peoples and the Kwa were the earliest
known inhabitants. The Ewe followed in the 14th
century and the Ane in the 18th century. The
Danish claimed the land in the 18th century, but
by 1884 it was established as a German colony
(Togoland). The area was split between the
British and the French under League of Nations
mandates after World War I and subsequently
administered as UN trusteeships. The British
portion voted for incorporation with Ghana. The
French portion became Togo, which declared its
independence on April 27, 1960.
Personal Space
• Generally an arm’s
distance.
• The more distance the
more respect.
• Men and women
seldom touch in public.
Greetings
• Men greeting Men – A
handshake with the right
hand is the most common
form of greeting.
• Women greeting Women A handshake with the right
hand is the most common
form of greeting for formal
and business situations.
*When shaking hands it is respectful to place your left
hand around the wrist of your right hand while
shaking. You always use your right hand to shake. If your
right hand is occupied when you need to shake you offer
your right wrist, never your left hand. *
Greetings
• Greetings between Men
and Women - A
handshake with the right
hand is the most common
form of greeting for
formal and business
situations.
*Note: Togo has 37 ethnic tribes, and greetings may
differ greatly between them. Each local language
has a standard dialogue of greetings that must be
said out of respect (usually 6-8 questions and
responses). When greeting someone in power like
a chief everyone will get down on a knee and say
the greeting together while the chief gives the
standard answers. *
Communication
• The Togolese are seldom
direct or state exactly what
they mean. They’ll often say
what they think you want to
hear or what is expected to be
said. It’s important to keep in
mind the hierarchy of Togolese
culture:
men…women…children. Also,
greater age usually implies
greater respect.
• Sarcasm doesn't tend to
translate very well, especially
when it comes to making
jokes.
Communication
• People tend to be direct
but polite in many
situations, especially
when it comes to
personal appearance or
attributes.
Communication
• Skin color is also a big
standard. People don’t
hesitate to announce
your skin color in public
if you are lighter
skinned than they are,
even if you’re
black. This is culturally
acceptable and not at
all rude.
Etiquette
• Eat with Right Hand.
When guests arrive,
water is offered and the
traditional greeting—
asking about the family
and their health—
ensues.
Eye Contact
• In most areas eye
contact is acceptable,
but one must not stare
blatantly into the
other’s eyes.
Eye Contact
• A man may make eye
contact with someone
equal (another man) or
lower than himself on
the hierarchy (a woman
or child) but it is usually
only held if he is
angry. In rural and
tribal areas, women
almost never make eye
contact with men.
View of Time
• The expectation about
time in is that there is
no expectation. A
meeting scheduled for
10 am means that most
people will show up
between 11 am and 12
pm, if they show at
all. Things seldom
happen “on time”.
Gestures
• The thumbs up sign is
often used as a sign of
congratulations or
approval.
• One the most common
signals in is the “hiss”
noise used to get
someone’s attention.
Gestures
• To beckon someone you
put your right hand up
and open and close the
fingers in a scratching
motion. Be sure to
always use the right
hand.
School Life
• The primary education
comprises of five years
of basic education. The
publics schools in Togo
villages have a record of
ill treating the children,
which makes education
a terror for them.
School
• Togo Schools are
however out of reach
for many children due
to financial problems in
the family. However
70% of the Togo
children get education
from the Government
Schools.
Sports
• Togo Futball (soccer) is
named as “Les
Eperviers”
Taboos
• You must use your right
hand for everything. The
left hand is considered
dirty and it’s extremely
rude to offer your left
hand or use it to beckon
someone.
• If your right hand is
occupied when you need
to shake you offer your
right wrist, never your left
hand.
Taboos
• It is considered rude to
smell food that has
been prepared for you
or ask what it is exactly
that you’re eating. A
meal prepared for you
is a big deal in a starving
country and you should
accept it gratefully and
without question.
Works Cited
• http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108038.ht
ml
• http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countr
ys/africa/tg.htm
• http://www.africaguide.com/country/togo/in
dex.htm
• http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Togo.html
• http://www.holyspiritelca.org/HUMAN%20NEEDS/peacecorp.html
Works Cited
• www.wn.com
• http://www.wsscc.org/countries/africa/togo/
wash-coalition-overview
• www.sgi.org
• http://www.world66.com/africa/ghana/lib/gal
lery/showimage?pic=africa/ghana/people_eat
ing_fufu
• http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/272f3/1
001/