Bohicon is a small city in southern Benin, located in the Zou Department. It sits just about 9 km from the city of Abomey. Indeed, it's a prime destination for enthusiasts of geology and archaeology. Bohicon is home to a vast archaeological park, that of Agongointo, and the private Dako zoo situated in Houawé.

HISTORY

History tells that Bohicon was known as the resting place of King Tegbessou. Later, it became a marketplace for the sale of spoils such as sheep and goats to all the king's brave warriors. Thanks to this trade in spoils, the city took the name Gbohi, which means the sheep market. Time passed until the arrival of French colonizers, and the city was renamed Bohicon by them. It came into prominence with the railway station built in 1906. A railway that greatly contributed to the city's development. Over time, the city became a celebrated commercial hub.

In the early days of colonization, it was the district of Allahé, which was attached to the former sub-prefecture of Abomey. In 1973, it was then called the sub-prefecture of Bohicon before taking its current designation following the administrative reform of 1974. Considered a relatively new municipality, Bohicon had its first mayor in 2003 (Paulin Tomanaga) during municipal elections. It is currently led by a municipal council of 25 members administered by the current mayor Luc Atrokpo.

TODAY

Geographically, the Bohicon agglomeration is bordered to the north by the municipality of Djidja, to the south by Zogbodomey, to the east by the municipalities of Za-Kpota and Covè, and to the west by the municipality of Agbangnizoun. This magnificent city is divided into 10 administrative districts. Those of Bohicon 1 and 2 constitute the city proper. The other districts on the periphery are still experiencing growth, but remain connected to the urban districts. The city of Bohicon owes its reputation to its two tourist sites: the archaeological park of Agongointo and the private Dako wègbè zoo situated in Houawé.

Tourism:

According to government statistics, only the Agongointo archaeological site currently generates revenue for the state. This park has gained the support of DANIDA, which was able to restore it. Indeed, this park is primarily a crucial asset alongside the private Dako wègbè zoo in Houawé.

Agriculture:

Regarding the city's primary economy, Bohicon focuses mainly on agriculture. Approximately 19% of Bohicon's population is engaged in farming. This is distributed differently across districts such as Sodohomè, Passagon, and Saclo. These latter districts concentrate more than 66% of the agricultural population and account for over 75% of the municipality's total area. The main crops grown are: corn, cassava, and soybeans. The proportion of the agricultural population in the urban districts (Bohicon I and II) is approximately 18%, which clearly illustrates the strong urbanization of these two districts.

The agricultural sector employs 11% of the municipality's active workforce with the aim of investing in forest exploitation, natural farming, and livestock. Production means (labor, equipment, capital) are traditional with limited technological mastery. Traditional agricultural systems dominate at 95%, and individual work is generally over 90%. Peanuts, oil palm, soybeans, and citrus are crops primarily intended for sale, unlike other crops (corn, cowpeas, cassava) which are primarily for household consumption.

Livestock:

The main species raised in the municipality are: poultry (local chickens and guinea fowl), rabbits, pigs, and goats. For livestock farmers, 98% of animal production is intended for sale.

CLIMATE

The city of Bohicon experiences a subequatorial climate with two rainy seasons (April to June and September to November) and two dry seasons (July to August and December to March). Average temperatures in the city range between 25°C and 32°C. The hottest months are February or March. As for rainfall, it reaches up to 349 mm. To visit, choose to travel in January, November, or December.

To reach the city of Bohicon without difficulty, the best option is to depart from Cotonou, Benin's economic capital. In the city center, there is a square called "Place de l'Étoile Rouge." There are road transport companies on the site offering quality services. You can also leave from the same point by renting a car suited to your preferences. In any case, it's comfortable to travel privately.