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Meridiela.

Glidji

A Guin town near Aného where the sacred stone is taken up each year, inscribed by UNESCO.

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UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Typetown
WhereMaritime
Nearest cityAného
Best seasonNovember to March
Time to allowHalf a day
Getting thereNear Aného on the coast east of Lomé; road, around an hour
EntryFree; ceremony access governed by custom

Glidji near Aného is the seat of the Guin people, and each September the Epe Ekpe ceremony takes place there: priests enter the sacred wood and bring out a stone whose colour is read as the omen for the coming year, white for peace and plenty, red or black for difficulty. The whole Guin country gathers for it. UNESCO inscribed the rites in 2025.

What you actually see

  • The sacred stone - the object taken from the wood and read for the year ahead.
  • The Epe Ekpe - the Guin new year ceremony held each September.
  • The sacred wood - the grove the stone is taken from.
  • The 2025 inscription - the UNESCO listing of the rites.

When to go

The ceremony falls in September, on a date set by the priests and announced shortly beforehand. November to March is the dry season otherwise. The town is quiet outside the ceremony.

Honest expectations

The ceremony is a religious observance and access to parts of it is restricted by custom. Dates are announced late and cannot be planned far ahead. Outside it there is little to see in the town.

Nearby

Aného is south, and Togoville is northwest.

What to pack for Glidji

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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