Learn more about customs and cultures all over the world, from your fellow members of PTPI.
We believe that greater understanding between individuals and peoples, worldwide, reveals universal values and aspirations. We believe that if people can better understand other cultures, they are more tolerant and accepting of differences.
Name: Newlove Bobson Atiso
Country of Residence: Togo
Newlove Bobson Atiso in his native country, Togo
1. Describe your favorite cultural tradition
I in person love all the cultural traditions of my country since we are one people with common destiny. I mostly enjoy participating in all cultural traditions that take place in the country but the most popular events are different diverse festivals. In the South, there are festivals such as Ayizan (a bean festival to commemorate the new harvest each August), Kpetsotsozan (when predictions are made for the new year), Tezan (a yam festival to commemorate new yam harvest).
In the Northern part of Togo, the Evala (for boys) and Akpema (for girls) are ceremonies made for young boys and girls in adolescent age to bring them home as men and women. The boys get involved in a traditional fight in July three times in three years to select the strongest among them. And young girls make preparations to get them ready as a young adults who can get married at anytime after the ceremony.
2. In your opinion, what is the most significant issue facing your country in the present day?
Poverty, unemployment and HIV/AIDS.
3. What do you consider to be the most important holiday in your country and how is it celebrated?
The Independence Day celebration which takes place 27th April every year to commemorate the country’s liberation and independence from the colonial masters. It also demonstrates the history of the country from the beginning, to the arrival of the colonial masters, and finally to the fight for independence that took place from 1958-1960.
Members of PTPI's Lome, Togo Chapter at an event on the beach
4. Who would you say is your country’s most significant historical figure?
Mr. Sylvanus Olympio, the first President of Togo.
5. Which part of your country’s history do you find most interesting?
The history of the Southern and Northern parts of the country.
6. What languages are spoken in the country you live in? How many of those languages do you speak and which ones?
Togo has over thirty languages but out of these, only two are popularly written and spoken in addition to French. These two languages are Ewe for the people of the south and Kabye for the people of the north. I speak Ewe perfectly and a little of Kabye in addition to English and French. I also speak to Ghanaian languages, which are Ashanti and Ga, since I was born in Ghana.
7. What is the customary form of greeting in your country?
When you meet an elderly person on the way, or go to the house of an elderly person, you bend down in front of the person and greet politely with handshaking. When you meet a mate that is your age, you stop, shake hands, and greet each other politely, or wave to each other if you are at a distance.
Communal eating is customary in Togo
8. Are there any cultural taboos?
There are many, depending on the tribe one belongs to. Some of these include whistling in the night, pounding fufu in the night, sweeping in the night and greeting when going to the toliet.
9. What is the most popular sport in your country?
Football (soccer) and volleyball.
10. What is your favorite traditional meal and how do you make it?
My favorite traditional meal is fufu. Fufu is prepared from boiled yam and pounded to become smooth and soft. Fufu is enjoyed with different kinds of soup, depending on your choice. It is very enjoyable and I hope you will also love it.
Fufu and soup, a traditional meal in Togo
11. Do you have a favorite quote or words that you live by?
My favorite quote is: “Life is about meeting new people, learning new cultures, and sharing world issues together to pave the way for everlasting peace in the world.”
12. What is a typical school day like for you? Or, if you are not in school, what is the school system like in your country?
The school system here consists of three semesters starting from September and going till June every year. There are two short holidays in January and March and the long vacation starts in June and lasts until September.
13. Where in the world would you most like to visit?
I would like to visit all parts of the world if there should be a possibility. But for now, I would like to visit more than two countries on the continents of Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
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