Royal panegyric · transcript in progress
Panegyric of the Gbaguidi — Gbetɔví Yalinù
–:––
Commune of Savalou · Collines Department · Benin
The living memory of a kingdom
Since 1557, the Gbaguidi dynasty has watched over Sa-Avalou. Explore four centuries of history, the hills, the vodun of Dankoli and the yam festival — wherever you are in the world.
1557Founding of the kingdom
18Sovereigns and regents
15 AugustYam festival
2,674 km²Of hills and farmland
The tour
Seven galleries to tell Savalou
Each room opens onto works, documents, sounds and immersive visits — in French and English, told in Mahi and Fon.
I
Founding History
Dessou Atolou, the buffalo legend, the birth of Sa-Avalou.
IIThe Gbaguidi Dynasty
Eighteen reigns, the regalia, the royal court of yesterday and today.
IIIResistance
Against Danxomè, against colonisation: the memory of the struggles.
IVSpiritualities
Dankoli, the Fa, the seven-branch palm tree, the coexistence of faiths.
VThe Yam, Queen of Savalou
The 15 August festival, the market, gari sohoui, the know-how.
VILand of the Hills
Kpataba, Alokpasso, the sacred pond, the fourteen districts.
VIIVoices of Savalou
Tales, songs and testimonies of the elders, recorded on site.
Centrepiece
The kings' timeline, from 1557 to today
Each band represents a reign, its width proportional to its length. Select a sovereign to discover their story.
Gbaguidi kings Regents Current king Interregnum
1557 – 1642 · Founder
Soha Gbaguidi I
Victor of the buffalo trial, "he who tames the buffalo" conquered the hill of Tchébélou through cunning and friendship, founded Sa-Avalou there and gave his name — Gbaguidi, "true chief" — to a dynasty that still reigns today.
Immersion
Savalou in 360°
Drag, turn, explore. The panorama collection grows with the field campaign: the royal palace, Dankoli, the hills.
Intangible heritage
The voices of Savalou
Tales, songs and testimonies, recorded in Mahi and Fon from the elders and dignitaries — with their consent — then transcribed and translated into French and English.
Tale · Mahi · to be recorded
The ruse of Tchébélou
Song · yam festival · to be recorded
Songs of the first fruits
Testimony · royal court · to be recorded
Memories of the palace
From virtual to real
Plan your visit to Savalou
Getting there
About 250 km from Cotonou by the national road, via Bohicon and Dassa-Zoumè. Daily bush taxis and buses.
When to come
On 15 August for the yam festival, on 10 January for the vodun celebrations at Dankoli, or in the dry season (November – February) to hike in the hills.
On site
The royal palace, the midweek yam market, gari sohoui to take home, local guides for Dankoli and the hills.