Ganvié: How the Tofinou People Made Lake Nokoué Their Home | SLICE l FULL DOCUMENTARY

In Southern Benin lies Lake Nokoué, a shimmering lagoon linked to the Atlantic Ocean. Centuries ago, the Tofin people sought refuge from slavery and found salvation on these waters. Here, they built Ganvié, the "African Venice," a floating village whose name means "Here, I’m saved." This unique haven, rich with history and resilience, is where Marc Thiercelin embarks on an unforgettable journey to meet the Tofin community and uncover their incredible story of survival and ingenuity.
Documentary: People of the Sea - Ep 18 : Benin (2018)
Directed by: Matthieu Maillet
Production : Découpages & ARTE France
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#documentary #slice #fulldocumentary #freedocumentary #benin #lake #nokoué #people #village #freedom #slavery #boat

[@siamoore1610]

I love how open-minded Slice is…. As someone from Africa, I like the way he portrays our culture. 🙏

[@ramishrambarran3998]

Thank you Slice ! Yes, there are many ways to live, and live happily ! Trinidad & Tobago. West Indies.

[@michaelbynoe1191]

Greetings from Barbados and carricom

[@marnyalken17]

For me this was beautiful to watch and very informative. Love it. And loving their tradition? So nice to see.

[@mayav6845]

This is soo beautiful! I wish peace and love to these people!

[@jackiejeffries308]

Wish you all the best young man. May only good winds blow your way. 🙋🏽‍♀️

[@cigarmann]

Love the slice documentaries. Slice shows us how varied and wonderful this world is

[@Tall_Dark_Lovely]

All in one for good health💯, working hard while acquiring food natural resources/food and close bonds with others in the community and family, I love this❤️👌

[@tumelodick4190]

Heaven is here on earth...❤✊🏻

[@deejayaugust66]

U can get emotional watching this especially the boy and his friend

[@Agelessfigureskater]

This is amazing. Thank you Slice 🙏🏽

[@StrengthTribeNZ]

Awsome documentary, thank you, guys!!

[@brandip77]

What a beautiful family, culture and way of life.

[@babanyambu]

Very informative. Keep up. Just discovered your channel, loving everything 👌

[@chirapurathu]

Awesome! Thank you, Slice.

[@tallheightsrichmanagement8604]

Amazing and very inspiring 👊✊💪🌍♥️💚💛🖤

[@kwameadoko9542]

The less you know, the less your worries.

[@pandiesal7002]

hakuna matata

[@vnikyt]

Why would you assume these people know less or worry less? 🙄

[@MrOu83]

The less you know, the more ignorant you are. Ignorance can be dangerous.

[@kwameadoko9542]

@ your are absolutely right, but in a community of less things to open your eyes to, what do you have to be worried off.

[@vnikyt]

@@kwameadoko9542 again, your assumptions are flawed. Their lives might be different from yours, but they're no less "complicated". They just have different issues to content with, especially the women in that society. Your views are based on the small sliver of life presented in this docu and sound rather paternalistic and condescending, especially when you consider the substantial challenges of surviving in that community. Life might appear simple there, but it sure as hell isn't easy. People in villages do have complicated inner lives too

[@Josephinekhalaf]

Wow ❤❤❤ Such a beautiful Village and absolutely beautiful family. My name is also Josephine ❤❤❤❤

[@GodwinBell-sv4yr]

Peace and love to my African brothers

[@MargaretKariuki-pc8fe]

Happy people God bless you all🙏

[@lawrencelromeo329]

Good job for sharing this video, I hadn't known about them 👏 ❤❤

[@teeteepalooza]

love this!

[@annettebrown3117]

Great documentary.

[@chadcapitol6674]

These guys are very healthy and happy

[@faysalahmedsany1832]

Love from Bangladesh 🇧🇩

[@klaw1425]

What do you think my brother from other country

[@MalikCook-r5j]

They made it through ❤

[@rosemariecampbell7205]

Very clean environment ! Zero plastics❤

[@fazeljigry4896]

So nice video and great, thank you so much. i like it,

[@jeanettedias64]

They r Christians, Jesus loves u lovely people. God bless u all amazing documentary presentation. Bless you brother

[@TonnyOkello]

Watching this was fun, very informative.

[@catherinenjogu5337]

Africa is the most beautiful place on earth

[@MthokozisiSishi-v3t]

❤❤❤

[@pendakhan852]

Yeah it is

[@pescariabarcoserotas3490]

Que maravilha de vídeo ❤

[@dr.sarikulalam49]

It's beautiful

[@emmanuelnothingpassgod8849]

I love the rope navigating system 😂😅❤, I bet you there must be some kind of psychological test before that role is assigned 😅

[@stelz750]

@Marc Thiercelin how did you start doing this kind of work? its fascinating.

[@JohnDera-i3s]

Slice you are doing a good Job

[@sudaphon1]

Remind me Uros island at Peru.

[@SMije-c4t]

Awesome

[@ahkramokaa4508]

There's no need living for the mainland when this place can be provided with floating basic amenities and easy access to the mainland. They've got a great community.

[@pendakhan852]

I love my AFRICA❤❤❤❤❤

[@BenjaminBurnett-b8m]

I've never seen a group of people who I'd like to meet as much as them

[@eboyd2478]

Amazing

[@pendakhan852]

OUR CULTURE IS SOO BEAUTIFUL❤

[@dircxx8554]

Sometimes I feel like living like this isn’t so bad compared to those homeless ppls I see at gas station or near the freeway .. you can’t really do anything because of the law, fishing also needs licenses 😅 everything cost money once you walk out from you door to your car 😂 a lot of area are private property goodness everywhere you go ! You can’t even park your car a random place for to long

[@klaw1425]

And most importantly you can marry as many as multiple wives you wish

[@MthokozisiSishi-v3t]

Peace ❤❤❤

[@YayRaven]

But, where do they go to toilet and handle that waste? It never mentioned it in the documentary.

[@PythagorasHyperborea]

This host looks like he has a massive hangover.

[@lovedelfin4606]

😂

[@AlBunyon]

Its okay! If i got to experience what he did i would also be drinking!

[@jackie9600]

I liked this but prefer the subtitles. It’s more relaxing personally

[@delirous8]

Look how beautiful their skin is, healthy living.

[@grovermartin6874]

This raises so many questions. Does the acacia reproduce itself in the lake? If not, do the people go back to the land people to get more? How do the men get their hair done so precisely? How do they protect themselves when hurricanes or other weather storms come up? Are there seasons there? What is their system of decision making for the group? Did their ancestors all flee from the same people? If not, were their languages similar, or did they develop a pidgin language, or jettison all but one? What is the energy source for their lights and cooking fires? What do they eat beside fish? Where do they get it? Did any of their people return to their home country after slavery was no longer a threat? Another video would be good. The next one with fewer loving looks at the white guy, goodlooking as he is, and more at the life of the people, especially more of the women, how they live, the work they do, their interactions with their children and each other's children, what the social interactions are, how the community interacts.

[@flamani54]

I doubt you will have answers to your questions. This is not a "group" These are religious communities; or religious clans as is every W African community, almost. The Tofinos do not talk to outsiders about their private lives or religious beliefs. Everyone around that part of the region knows them if only by reputation. The fish they catch are sold around that area all the way to the capital of their country, which is Cotonou.

[@vnikyt]

The fact that you're asking how they get their hair cut so nicely or if there are seasons in a West African village shows you really need to learn more about the world around you, and not by asking questions in a YT comment section. Google is helpful, but you can also look up some books (if you really want to learn)

[@sayanarachronicles4805]

No seasons in Africa bruh,things like hurricanes are things we see only on KZbin

[@grovermartin6874]

@@vnikyt My expression of interest and wonder is for potential content creators. Your snide dismissal is ignorant, rude, and uncalled for. You have no idea what my area of expertise is.

[@klaw1425]

There’s no hurricanes in Africa

[@RJFP67]

I love their colorful clothing. Are their clothes traditional ?

[@comment8767]

Most of it is wax print cloth from the Netherlands.

[@comment8767]

Chinese factory ships are offshore vacuuming up all the fish at the expense of locals.

[@jackieellerbe8766]

❤❤❤

[@marnyalken17]

nice garments.

[@OrlandoGustar]

These people are clean with their environment, I don't see a lot of plastics floating about the water or I do not really see any plastic at all....unlike MAKOKO the floating city in Nigeria they live in the water but they thrash the water, there is so much garbage/plastic floating in the water which makes the place dirty & look dirty

[@REBECCAWAIRIMU-zs6qp]

Now i know, i shouldn't complain where I am

[@mirandaramond8422]

J'AIME la proprété Ses mieux que celle du Nigeria Makoko

[@donnah5378]

Nice. The males wears cute outfits 😊

[@hermannattiogbe4227]

It is their homeland, the lake. Their ancestors lived there and died there.

[@lisaduffy821]

❤

[@HI-nn1ns]

What is up with the voiceover?!

[@kujurofficial.5895]

I have an idea. If it i possible to provide them solar system for them since they don't have electricity. It will be very kind of those who would provide them light their house. Tourist may help them by donation.

[@sipililebaleni6904]

What if someone dies here where wll thy Bury the body

[@chrispini6012]

They go to the land to bury them. The Toffins run from the land to live in the water to avoid persecution back then. And from that moment on, the stayed there till now.

[@vallorypoole8117]

I HAVE SO MANY ??? WHERE DO THEY POOP/ DRs?/ MEDICINE ? LABOR? FRESH WATER? FLOUR? VEGS? WHERE THEY GET THOSE FANCY CLOTHES IF THEY NEVER LEAVE HOME?

[@Kiyoone]

nature

[@MthokozisiSishi-v3t]

Yes nature

[@vallorypoole8117]

@@Kiyoone NATURE DONT MAKE DR OR FANCY CLOTHER TRY AGAIN

[@vanhuvanhuvese2738]

@@vallorypoole8117 they exchange for fish

[@karenkane2922]

Theirs is land on the other side of the water which is the main country. 😅

[@filbertkapela]

Where do they build their toilets?

[@Kiyoone]

nature

[@themsdwallace]

I really wonder what my life would have been like if the slavers had not brought us to America, I really want to go visit Africa, but I worry I would not be well received since I am mixed blood.

[@katlegho]

You will be received well you come and visit zambia." i will take you to the might Victoria falls

[@TonnyOkello]

There are lots of white people , Chinese , Indians and Arabs living in Africa, especially in cities and towns.

[@misfittv313]

Where in Africa do you wanna visit? Remember it's a continent not a country

[@themsdwallace]

@@misfittv313 Not sure, my family line comes from North Eastern Africa so that would be a cool place to see. I would love to see Egypt and the Sudan because of the history. I also want to see mount kilimanjaro national park, and wildlife. There are many places in the world i would love to see. 23 n me said my genetics come from Bantu speaking people that migrated to south Africa.

[@comment8767]

As a descendent of slaves you are eligible for citizenship in Ghana

[@tdbbuzzard4919]

You know what these people really need?….they could use a shipment of brand new peloton bikes.

[@nica77maniloco38]

What’s with the women and slashes on their cheeks and arms? The men do not have those slashes???

[@rabikarsharma1981]

I also noticed that. almost every women had thar scars

[@franciscopineda2594]

Scarification is a cultural tradition practised by different social groups in Africa and its done on male and female depending on the social group

[@WillamShauke]

No toilet no need to walk😅😅😅😅

[@Kiyoone]

nature

[@tmaktmak1464]

That’s a shit load of acacias

[@downunderfulla6001]

What is with most of them having a scar on one of their cheeks

[@gambianice]

They’re tribal marks, like a tattoo via scarring

[@alemtemjen9748]

Where do this people 💩💩💩 I wonder if the water will be clean.

[@comment8767]

The water has problems. This is not Hawaii.

[@romeobraganaza2928]

The guy have blue sapphire

[@PatuririToautu]

Irritating narration. Gave up after three minutes of listening to a rant 😂