The Nigerian Field Society

Lagos Branch

Trips & Talks 2006   Ijebu Ode - 01-2006 Omo Forest - 01-2006 Bioko Island - 02-2006 Total Eclipse - 03-2006 Badagry - 03-2006 Yankari - 03-2006 Ghana - 04-2006 Kuje and Abuja - 05-2006 IITA Ibadan - 07-2006 Osogbo - 08-2006 Niger Republic - 09-2006 Adogbo stilt village - 10-2006

Trip to the Adogbo stilt village

14th October, 2006

Have you ever wondered about all those houses underneath the Third Mainland Bridge? Known to many as the stilt village because all of the houses are built on stilts, the Adogbo Village was the setting for yet another amazing Nigerian Field Society outing. We were welcome by the Baale (chief) of the village himself, Mr. Shemede Emmanual. He spoke with us at length about his people and the interesting way they live. Mr. Zounze Oussou Raphael served as our interpreter, speaking both French and English to the group.

After a brief history lesson, we were able to get into small wooden boats and actually travel in the mazes of houses and waterways that make up this amazing city. We saw “traveling salesmen” on their boats, going from house to house, selling candies, clothes and snacks. The children were smiling and friendly, especially when we visited their one room schoolhouse. We had a chance to visit a church and even more exciting, a maternity.

Mrs. Tonoudo Elvire showed us how they care for new born and sick children in the village. The women who care for these children were warm and friendly, even asking us if we wanted to hold one of the newborns! The villagers have little in the way of medical supplies, but they certainly make up for it with love for these tiny babies!

Most of the people who live in the village support themselves by fishing and smoking the fish they catch to be sold on the mainland. Although there is some electricity in the village, there are no refrigerators so all food is caught and served fresh or smoked. The houses are simple wonders made out of raw tree branches. The waterways themselves can often be very narrow and we even had a “Stilt Village Water Go Slow” when we all attempted to leave the maternity at the same time.

All of the people we met were friendly and willing to answer any questions we had about this amazing place. It was a great experience to get to see how people in our city live. We could see that they were happy people who were excited to have guests. This is the first year the Nigerian Field Society visited the stilt village and I am sure it won’t be the last. Thanks to Matthias Wolandt as well as to Robin and Hugh Campbell for organizing this for the NFS.


Christina Jurgensen