Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba ( French : Koutammakou, le pays des Batammariba ) is a cultural landscape designated in 2004 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the border between northern Togo and Benin . The area features traditional mud tower-houses which remain the preferred style of living. The traditional mud houses are known as a national symbol of Togo. Many of the mud houses have two floors and some of them have a flat roof.
16-866: In 2008, to complete the inscription of the site to World Heritage, the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of UNESCO, headed by Rieks Smeets, set up the «Safeguarding of the Cultural Intangible Heritage of Batammariba», from the 2003 Convention. The goal was to promote sustainability in Intergenerational transmission and preservation of skills and knowledge in all the essential areas of their culture, such as : manufacture of everyday and ceremonial objects, traditional healing and useful plants, takyentas construction, dance, music, archery, oral traditions, promotion of tourism respecting local traditions, mapping sacred areas, accumulation of data on
32-484: A national symbol of Togo. Many of the mud houses have two floors and some of them have a flat roof. In 2008, to complete the inscription of the site to World Heritage, the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of UNESCO, headed by Rieks Smeets, set up the «Safeguarding of the Cultural Intangible Heritage of Batammariba», from the 2003 Convention. The goal was to promote sustainability in Intergenerational transmission and preservation of skills and knowledge in all
48-442: A result of her collaboration with Nicoue Gayibor, their excavations were able to demonstrate that the thirty-three neighbourhoods at Notsé were made up of family enclosures. She coordinated World Heritage Site applications for Togo, with particular concern for the cave sites of Nook and Mamproug . Aguigah's experience in archaeology and heritage meant that work in government became a second phase of her career. From 2000 to 2003 she
64-630: A successful career in archaeology, Aguigah has also held high political offices in the Government of Togo. Aguigah is head of the Archaeological Programme of Togo and is a senior lecturer at the University of Lomé and University of Kara . She is an international consultant on cultural heritage and has lectured widely. She researched traditional floor coverings in Togo. This research concentrated on
80-412: A survey of potsherd floorings at Tado. This research also demonstrated that archaeo-metallurgical activities had taken place there since the eleventh century. She has directed archaeological excavations at Notsé , Tado , Dapaong , Nook (Togo), and Bè sites. Her research at Notsé demonstrated that the earthworks built there were not used for defence, but to define the space as socially distinct. As
96-507: Is inhabited, have lived in this site for hundreds of years. They migrated to the area sometime during the 17th or 18th century. Koutammakou was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, inscribing it as the Land of the Batammariba. Extensions of the site increased in 2023. The traditional houses of Koutammakou are known as Siken and are the official national symbol of Togo. They reflect
112-612: The University of Paris I, Pantheon-Sorbonne from 1978 to 1986, where she graduated with degrees in: License in Archaeology and History of Art; MA in African Archaeology; Diploma of Advanced Studies; PhD in African Archaeology. She is one of the few academics in West Africa to hold two PhDs - she graduated with her second in 1995 under the supervision of Jean Devisse at the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne . In addition to
128-587: The Batammaribas’ ceremonial life, had an important role in the designation. From 19 to 24 October October 2018, UNESCO organized an emergency mission to assess the damage allegedly caused by the August 2018 rains in Koutammakou on habitat and on the intangible heritage. The report was prepared by three international experts: Ishanlosen Odiaua, Dominique Sewane and Franck Ogou. The Tammari peoples , for which Koutammakou
144-600: The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in Benin. Her time at CENI was not without controversy: she announced that elections could be ready in May 2013, ahead of the government's expected date of October, which caused opposition from the government. She had previously been an RTP candidate in the 2007 legislative elections. She has been outspoken about the need for internal and external investment on
160-471: The archaeological heritage of Togo. Koutammakou Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba ( French : Koutammakou, le pays des Batammariba ) is a cultural landscape designated in 2004 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the border between northern Togo and Benin . The area features traditional mud tower-houses which remain the preferred style of living. The traditional mud houses are known as
176-449: The designation. From 19 to 24 October October 2018, UNESCO organized an emergency mission to assess the damage allegedly caused by the August 2018 rains in Koutammakou on habitat and on the intangible heritage. The report was prepared by three international experts: Ishanlosen Odiaua, Dominique Sewane and Franck Ogou. The Tammari peoples , for which Koutammakou is inhabited, have lived in this site for hundreds of years. They migrated to
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#1732851778407192-480: The ditammari, language of Batammariba in primary schools and education of youth in the intangible cultural heritage (distribution of textbooks). This program was coordinated by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Primary Education of Togo, led by minister Angèle Dola Akofa Aguigah . Dominique Sewane, whose groundwork and her research and publications on the Batammaribas’ ceremonial life, had an important role in
208-412: The essential areas of their culture, such as : manufacture of everyday and ceremonial objects, traditional healing and useful plants, takyentas construction, dance, music, archery, oral traditions, promotion of tourism respecting local traditions, mapping sacred areas, accumulation of data on the intangible cultural heritage and creation of access to it, recordings, films and photos…. Overall, teaching
224-480: The intangible cultural heritage and creation of access to it, recordings, films and photos…. Overall, teaching the ditammari, language of Batammariba in primary schools and education of youth in the intangible cultural heritage (distribution of textbooks). This program was coordinated by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Primary Education of Togo, led by minister Angèle Dola Akofa Aguigah . Dominique Sewane, whose groundwork and her research and publications on
240-480: The unique animistic beliefs and traditions of the community. Ang%C3%A8le Dola Akofa Aguigah Angèle Dola Akofa Aguigah (born 4 December 1955) is a Togolese archaeologist and politician. She was the first female archaeologist from Togo , and in 2017 she was given the honor of “Human Living Treasure of Togo“. Angèle Dola Akofa Aguigah was born on 4 December 1955 in Lomé , Togo, where she grew up. She studied at
256-555: Was Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister's Office in charge of Private Sector of Togo. From 2003 she was Minister of Culture of Togo. During her ministry the Cultural Landscape of Koutammakou was registered as a World Heritage Site and a programme of public engagement. She also encouraged a decentralisation of cultural industries in Togo, in order to create more regional opportunities. In 2012, Aguigah became director of
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