Lake Village Ganvie Photo

Photographer’s Note

The lake village Ganvie (previous picture: taxi stop to Ganvie)

Ganvie is a lake village in Benin, lying in Lake Nokoué, near Cotonou. With a population of around 20,000 people, it is probably the largest lake village in Africa and as such is very popular with tourists. The village was established in the sixteenth or seventeenth centuries by the Tofinu people, established on the lake because the Dan-Homey's religion forbade the Fon warriors from entering water, therefore the lagoon was a safe territory for other tribes. Originally based on farming, the village's main industries other than tourism are now fishing and fish farming.

The village was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on October 31st, 1996 in the Cultural category (wikidepia)

Exposure Time: 1/166
F-Stop: f/8.0
ISO Speed Ratings: 100
Focal Length: 120/1 mm

besnard, Budapestman, Gerrit, Philippe, lucasgalodoido, ChrisJ, gunbud, pierrefonds, dareco, UlfE, Graal, riclopes, shevchenko, AiresSantos, buscape trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Nicou (45321) 2009-04-29 3:08

Hello,

Très belle vue du ce viallage sur polits, c'est un endroit merveilleux dont j'ai de vague et très lointain souvenirs, avc la barque, tout ces bosi qui soutiennent les maison, très belle vue, splendide.

Bravo et amitié

Nicou

besnard (30920) 2009-04-29 3:38

Bonjour Achim
Un joli cliché de ces maisons sur pilotis qui nous montre un des aspects de la vie quotidienne de ses habitants. C'est intéressant et bien réalisé.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

Budapestman (42462) 2009-04-29 3:40

Hi Achim,
Splendid daily life shot with graphic details. The composition of the photo is superb, excellent note, TFs! Have a nice day!
George

TopGeo (21999) 2009-04-29 7:54

Hi Achim,
Splendid daily life shot with graphic details. The composition of the a lake village in Benin, They is a difficult existence I believe. The houses the locomotion and the difficulties many? A interesting picture!
I praise you!
Georgios

Gerrit (36035) 2009-04-29 8:53

Hi Achim,
doesn't look steady at all. Must be a hectic thing during torms, living there.
Great view and place.
Regards, Gerrit

marietom (32054) 2009-04-29 9:01

hello Achim,

Etonnant, ce village sur l'eau.
A place I'd like to see.
Bonne soirée
Marie

gilou530 (35488) 2009-04-29 9:46

salut achim
une lumière faible et un contraste faible également mais tu es bien arrivé a faire ressortir ce vieux village, beau travail
amitiés
gilbert

Philippe (11781) 2009-04-29 12:01

Hi, Achim. A good view on this lake village showing the houses built on piles. The boat in the foreground is an eye-catcher with the locals wearing colourful clothes. Good opposition between the central huts and the more modern looking houses on the left and right. A pity the sky was so grey, a blue sky would have allowed the houses to stand out better.
Have a nice evening,
Philippe

lousat (15768) 2009-04-29 14:25

Hi Achim,you jump every day in differents corners of the world,but your pics are always interesting,this is another great example,this scene of Benin's daily life is very great...good sharpness and colors also whitout the sun,My best compliments,have a nice day,LUCIANO

lucasgalodoido (16655) 2009-04-29 15:06

Hi Achim,
very interesting picture here, and this place like a amazonian images. I´d like.
Regards,
Lucas

ChrisJ (70357) 2009-04-29 18:16

Hi Achim

A superb daily life scene from this stilt water village in Benin. It certainly makes me appreciate my modest studio apartment, a little more!

gunbud (28049) 2009-04-29 18:23

Hi Achim,
Wonderful capture of this far away unique culture.
Rich textures and details to the traditional grass huts and the other building of this special lake village on stilts.
Regards, Tom

pierrefonds (26493) 2009-04-29 19:11

Hi Achim,

The presence of the people in the boat has an efefct of scale. The point of view is showing the details and colors of the structure of the houses on piloti. The colors are enhanced by the quality of the light. Have a nice day.

Pierre

dareco (17104) 2009-04-29 20:35

A very interesting picture. Being female I of course notice the clothing right away :) great colors!! A good daily life capture. It's amazing that these shelters stay standing. TFS

UlfE (9066) 2009-04-29 21:04

Hi Achim,

Fantasic daily life scene and excellent documentary. Very good timing with the passing boat. This really makes the picture vivid. Well-done. TFS and have a nice day!

Cheers,

Ulf

wolf38 (12961) 2009-04-29 23:16

Hallo Achim. Benin ist noch ein weißer Fleck auf meiner Landkarte, - und wird es wohl auch bleiben. Desto interessanter ist es, zumindest photographisch einen Einblick in dieses Land zu bekommen. Leben am Wasser. Irgendwie erinnert mich die Szene an Kambodscha, wo ich ähnliches sah. Das Photo ist sehr lebendig und anschaulich. Informativ auch der Text. Viele Grüße, wolfgang.

Graal (58403) 2009-04-29 23:59

Hi Achim,
an interesting reportage from a far country. Nice composition. Unusual village on the water. Pity that weather wasn't good.
Gr., Aleksander

riclopes (33077) 2009-04-30 0:50

Fine daily life capture with a nice set of typical poor houses that seem it's going to fall apart. I can see the colorful clothes of the locals on the boat. A pitty the light didn't help you for more bright colors.
best wishes,
ricardo

shevchenko (10008) 2009-04-30 0:57

Hi Achim,
Interesting composition to show some houses in traditional style and built with local materials, attractive their colorful clothes, and in same fabrics just like uniform, lively shoot, thanks for sharing.
Ally

AiresSantos (42578) 2009-04-30 2:35

Hi Achim
Another beautiful shot from Benin.
Excellent sharpness and details. I like the colourful dresses.
Very good POV and note
Have a nice weekend
Aires

jhm (83035) 2009-04-30 3:47

Hello Achim,

A wonderful world.
Fine daily life capture with a nice set of typical poor houses that seem it's going to fall apart
The boat in the foreground is an eye-catcher with the locals wearing colourful clothes.
Perspective and presentation are superb, together with the colour.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

buscape (3887) 2009-05-01 8:39

Hallo Achim,
tolles Bild vom täglichen Leben an diesem See in Benin. Klasse diagonale Perspektive auf die Häuser und ein gutes Timing für das heranfahrende Boot. Schön auch die typische Kleidung der Passagiere, so dass man gleich erkennt, dass man in Africa ist. Gefällt mir sehr gut.
Viele Grüsse aus dem Donautal,
Helmut

Photo Information

Copyright: Achim Fried (John_F_Kennedy) (31799)
Genre: Gens
Medium: Couleur
Date Taken: 2009-03-01
Categories: Vie quotidienne
Camera: Canon 40D, Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM
Exposition: f/8, 1/160 secondes
More Photo Info: view
Versions: version originale
Carnet de voyage: 2009/03 Westafrica
Thème(s): Achim's favourite Lakes, Achim's favourites of Africa [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-04-29 2:52