Origins and Historical Roots of The Tem/Kotokoli Tribe !

Origins and Historical Roots of The Tem/Kotokoli Tribe !

The Tem/Kotokoli trace their beginnings to the 17th and 18th centuries, when their ancestors migrated from regions in present-day Burkina Faso to settle around Sokodé, a bustling trade hub in central Togo. This migration placed them along ancient caravan routes, fostering their development as skilled merchants. The name "Kotokoli" itself—derived from the phrase "koto kolim," meaning "they give and take back" in some local dialects—reflects their reputation as shrewd traders who mastered the art of commerce. Over time, they established themselves as a distinct ethnic group within the Gur-speaking peoples of the Niger-Congo language family, with the Tem language serving as a cornerstone of their identity.

Their early society was shaped by both their environment and their interactions with neighboring groups, such as the Hausa and Fulani. By the 1700s, these contacts introduced Islam to the Tem/Kotokoli, a faith that became a defining feature of their culture. Today, the majority of the tribe adheres to Sunni Islam, blending it seamlessly with their traditional practices and social structures.

Housing and Community Life

Most Tem live in round mud-walled houses with thatched, conical roofs, arranged in family compounds around a central courtyard. These clusters, often enclosed by high mud walls for privacy, foster a strong sense of kinship and collective living. Marriages, typically arranged in infancy, reinforce community ties, with grooms performing bride-service and offering livestock as a bride-price. Polygyny is practiced, though limited to four wives per Islamic law, with the first wife holding a privileged status. Daily life revolves around shared responsibilities, with women and men collaborating to sustain the household and uphold traditions.