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Commons:Wiki Loves Africa 2017/photo essay/work in Benin

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Benin is a small country in West Africa. Unlike many of its neighbors, Benin doesn't boast a natural resource, like oil in Nigeria, or export a commodity, such as chocolate in Ghana. As a result, work is hard to come by and many people make a living as subsistence farmers, growing food to eat and selling their excess crop at local markets.

By Abby Wendle and Noland Ryan Deaver (User:Abby Wendle)

  • Women carry water through a path in their village, just outside of Pendjari National Park in northern Benin. Sometimes elephants from the park wander into the village’s cornfields.
    Women carry water through a path in their village, just outside of Pendjari National Park in northern Benin. Sometimes elephants from the park wander into the village’s cornfields.
  • A boy prepares to slap the water, scaring fish towards his net. Fish are a staple source of protein for the country’s population. They’re often caught in coastal areas, smoked, and shipped inland. This photo was taken in the wetlands of Ouidah, the historic site of the 19th century slave port in southern Benin.
    A boy prepares to slap the water, scaring fish towards his net. Fish are a staple source of protein for the country’s population. They’re often caught in coastal areas, smoked, and shipped inland. This photo was taken in the wetlands of Ouidah, the historic site of the 19th century slave port in southern Benin.
  • These women are making “gari,” otherwise known as cassava flour. Gari is a popular ingredient for Beninese cuisine, and its production is a very time-consuming process. Gari is important in the cuisine of many west and Central African nations.
    These women are making “gari,” otherwise known as cassava flour. Gari is a popular ingredient for Beninese cuisine, and its production is a very time-consuming process. Gari is important in the cuisine of many west and Central African nations.
  • When making gari, the women have to press and dry the cassava, then grind it into a course powder, sift it, and brown it over coals.
    When making gari, the women have to press and dry the cassava, then grind it into a course powder, sift it, and brown it over coals.
  • A woman sifting gari while her daughter poses for the camera.
    A woman sifting gari while her daughter poses for the camera.
  • A woman prepares a bowl of tchoukoutou, or tchouk, a spontaneously fermented sour beer. This woman helps run one of the most popular tchouk houses in Natitingou, a city in northern Benin.
    A woman prepares a bowl of tchoukoutou, or tchouk, a spontaneously fermented sour beer. This woman helps run one of the most popular tchouk houses in Natitingou, a city in northern Benin.
  • Here, a brewer presents a handful of sorghum, the grain this tchouk house uses to brew its beer. Other brewers in the country use a blend of millet, sorghum, and corn.
    Here, a brewer presents a handful of sorghum, the grain this tchouk house uses to brew its beer. Other brewers in the country use a blend of millet, sorghum, and corn.
  • The head brewer of this tchouk house stirs the vat of boiling grain. While many men know the process, women are typically the ones who make and sell the beer.
    The head brewer of this tchouk house stirs the vat of boiling grain. While many men know the process, women are typically the ones who make and sell the beer.
  • Tchouk is traditionally served in a calabash, a bowl made from the dried fruit of a tree. The beer is served still fermenting, the same day it’s brewed.
    Tchouk is traditionally served in a calabash, a bowl made from the dried fruit of a tree. The beer is served still fermenting, the same day it’s brewed.
  • Women stop in for an afternoon bowl of tchouk, taking a break from selling their wares at Natitingou’s sprawling outdoor market - one of the biggest in the region. Tchouk’s flavor is comparable to a mildly-sweet cider and has a gentle intoxicating effect.
    Women stop in for an afternoon bowl of tchouk, taking a break from selling their wares at Natitingou’s sprawling outdoor market - one of the biggest in the region. Tchouk’s flavor is comparable to a mildly-sweet cider and has a gentle intoxicating effect.
  • A woman enjoy the coolness of night, sitting in front of her bean shack, selling bread to passersby.
    A woman enjoy the coolness of night, sitting in front of her bean shack, selling bread to passersby.
  • A girl cares for her baby sister while her mom sells plastic goods at the outdoor marker in Tangbo-Djevie, a village about an hour north of Cotonou, the economic capitol of the country.
    A girl cares for her baby sister while her mom sells plastic goods at the outdoor marker in Tangbo-Djevie, a village about an hour north of Cotonou, the economic capitol of the country.
  • A girl sells colorful fabric, called tissue, at the Tangbo-Djevie market. These fabrics are used to make boombas, the traditional dress of Benin. Boombas are often finely tailored pants and matching shirts for men, and skirts, matching tops, and headdresses for women.
    A girl sells colorful fabric, called tissue, at the Tangbo-Djevie market. These fabrics are used to make boombas, the traditional dress of Benin. Boombas are often finely tailored pants and matching shirts for men, and skirts, matching tops, and headdresses for women.
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