Room I · 1 of 7 on the tour
Every visit begins here, with the story Savalou has been passing down for more than four centuries: that of the untameable buffalo. Winning the trial through cunning and friendship, Soha — "he who tames the buffalo" — conquered the hill of Tchébélou, founded Sa-Avalou there and gave his name, Gbaguidi, "true chief", to a dynasty that still reigns today.
Room texts
Provisional texts based on the project presentation document (v3.2) — awaiting approval by the royal court and the town hall of Savalou.
It all begins with Dessou Atolou, a hunter of the Houéda people from Mitogbodji, a village on the shores of Lake Ahémé in south-western Benin. Following succession disputes, he left his homeland and settled in Damè, in Fon country, where he married the daughter of chief Ligbo. From this union was born Agba Rhako.
On Ligbo's death, the succession was decided in a trial that became legendary: taming a buffalo and riding it. Rhako triumphed and received the nickname So-ha, "he who tames the buffalo". According to tradition, the Allokpasso hill of Monkpa still bears the traces of this founding episode.
Settled in Houawé, near Bohicon, Soha imposed his authority on the Nago populations, who nicknamed him Oba-Guidi — "true chief" —, a name that became Gbaguidi. Pushed northward by the rise of Dako-Donou, future founder of the Abomey line, he conquered the Nago hilltop village of Tchébélou through a ruse that remains famous. There he founded his capital, Sa-Avalou — from "Sa", friendship, and "Avalou", homage —, in memory of the friendship that made the conquest possible, then brought the neighbouring localities of Doïssa, Ouèssè, Koutago and Zounzonkanmè under his rule, with the support of his wise ambassador Cakpo Capo ChiChi.
The works
The pieces are being collected, researched or reviewed by the royal court and the town hall — each label below awaits its work.
01 · Founding tale
No one could tame the buffalo. Soha succeeded — through cunning and friendship rather than force — and earned the right to found his kingdom. The tale will be illustrated and told in Mahi.
Mahi oral tradition
Original illustration · Mahi audio tale · FR/EN transcript
02 · Figure of the origins
At the origins of the settlement of Sa-Avalou. His journey will be documented with the royal court and resource persons, cross-checking oral and written sources.
Royal court · historians
Historical notice FR/EN · iconography to be identified
03 · Founding site
Conquered by Soha, it is the cradle of Sa-Avalou. The panorama will restore the landscape the founders discovered.
Savalou
360° panorama · HD photographs · notice FR/EN
04 · Monument
In Zounzonkanmè rests the founding king. The mausoleum and the founder's statue, in town, keep his memory alive in the public space.
Zounzonkanmè
HD photographs · notice FR/EN · Mahi audio
Preview 0.2