The chicotte party and others
"The feast of the chicotte" is both an initiation rite, a sporting and artistic-cultural activity which has the same scale and the same identity value as the traditional struggle among the peoples of Mandé. Indeed, this celebration, in addition to bringing young men to honor within the community, reflects the courage and valor. The day before the party, we announce the festivities with the drums, we dance a little and chicottes are prepared from the roots of a specific plant. Meanwhile, the "chicotters" are hidden in their concessions and wait for dawn to enter the scene. Each year the commune kicks off this feast, the celebration of which spans several days and reaches the diasporas in the other territories of North Benin. Apart from the chicotte party, there is Tontou's party which is takes place about two months after the feast of the chicotte to mark the beginning of the harvest; there is also the Waa which is not annual; it's a show of strength party.