Sokodé

Sokodé is the second largest city in Togo, the centre of the Tem or Kotokoli people and predominantly Muslim, sitting in the middle of the country on the north road with a large market and several mosques. It is known for the Gadao-Adossa, the fire dance performed at Islamic festivals where dancers handle burning brands and hot coals. The country around is wooded savanna. The city sits at around four hundred metres in the transition between the forest south and the savanna north.

What you actually see

• The market - the trading centre for central Togo.
• The mosques - the religious buildings of a predominantly Muslim city.
• The fire dance - the Gadao-Adossa performed at Islamic festivals.
• The Tem culture - the community the city is the centre of.

When to go

November to March is the dry season. The fire dance follows the Islamic calendar and shifts each year. Market days are busiest.

Honest expectations

There is little arranged for visitors and facilities are basic. The fire dance happens on festival days only and cannot be arranged on demand. The drive from Lomé takes around five hours.

Nearby

Bassar is west, and Kara is north.