The Kozah prefecture vibrated to the rhythm of the festivities marking the official opening of traditional hunting in Kabye country. The President of the Republic, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, honored with his presence the prestigious Pya Hodo hunters' dance, a symbol of bravery and cultural transmission.
This age-old event not only marks the beginning of a month of hunting, but also the end of funeral rites, deeply rooted in Kabyè tradition. Dressed in their ancestral finery and armed with traditional hunting weapons, the hunters from the various cantons put on a striking show of song, dance and demonstrations of hunting techniques. Through these performances, they exalted the strength, endurance and dexterity of the younger generations, while paying homage to the ancestors for their protection and abundant harvests.
The event was also an opportunity to express a deep attachment to Togolese cultural values and identity. The hunters and dancers welcomed the presence of the Head of State, recognizing him as a fervent defender of traditions and an artisan of peace and national security.
On behalf of the President of the Republic, the Minister of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Customary Chieftaincy, Colonel Hodabalo Awaté, congratulated the participants on the quality of their performances, underlining their essential role in preserving Togo's cultural heritage.
Anchored in the seasonal cycle, traditional hunting in Kozah takes place during periods of agricultural inactivity, between the harvest and the arrival of the first rains, perpetuating a balance between nature and culture.
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