Youths on a sailboat.

Community spaces.

Residences.

Quiet gathering places.

There are no streets in the village, only waterways. People get around on longboats, often driven by youth, as depicted here.

A statue of King Gbewou, one of the founders of Ganvié. He holds a rifle in one hand and a royal staff in the other. He is credited in some narratives of the origin of Ganvié with securing his people’s settlement on Lake Nokué in the 18th century.

Voudun temple.

This tree, our guide told us, is a gathering place for elders to share with anyone who wishes to learn from them in the communities of Ganvié.

The school compound in Ganvié.

The Celestial Christian Church, in service, from a respectful distance. If you zoom in, you can see the parishioners in white, performing ceremonies in and near the water. The Celestial Church of Christ is an African initiated Pentecostal church which focuses on prayer, healing and miracle-working.

Mariel (scholar) , Schad (translator) and B. (guide) on the boat to the king’s compound in Ganvié. We were speaking here of Ganvié’s origin stor(ies).

Residences in passing.

Livestock near the king’s compound.

A playing card floating on the waters of Lake Nokué.

An audience with the king.

Ganvié is home to many different faiths and ritual practices.