Nov
17
Filed Under (Beninese culture, General) by Rob on 17-11-2007

(NB That’s not a political slogan from the late 80’s!)

It’s the end of an era – the famous ‘MAGGI TOWER’ in Cadjéhoun, Cotonou has had a complete makeover!

100_6332.JPG

For years, the bouillon cube, as some call it, has been a prominent landmark in the city – great for giving directions as you can see it from so many places. Oh yes, we’re also grateful for the thousands of gallons of water it holds and provides us with!

Here’s my mate Clive Rahn with the tower in it’s old livery last December:

imgp1358.JPG

…and here are some guys giving it a new lick of paint last week (I know, I know, don’t THINK about health and safety!!)

100_6337.JPG

Maggi is a brand of a stock cube and various related sauces, used by many Beninese in their cooking. Now you’re all wondering what Moov is, right? It’s one of the two largest mobile phone networks in Benin, it’s main rival being MTN. As one friend said recently, it’s a sign of the times that the bouillon cube (a symbol of local cooking for decades) is replaced with a mobile phone network. Still, it looks very smart now (although I preferred the old colour-scheme!) Here’s the finished article, taken just this morning:

100_6459.JPG

Which do you prefer? Let us know!



Comments:
5 Comments posted on "Maggi to Moov…"
Beth on November 17th, 2007 at 4:36 pm #

AH, I’m going to have an emotional break down because of this!


Clive on November 17th, 2007 at 7:11 pm #

Yuk! Prefur the old one!

Whose that man in the picture !


Lynne Ranson on November 18th, 2007 at 12:18 am #

I can’t quite believe it! Do you not do a double-take everytime you look at it?! They sells Maggi cubes in the Indian shop at the end of our street and when I discovered them I almost shrieked for joy! Everytime I see them in my cupboard it makes me think of Cotonou…
The photos are great – love the one of them painting it although it kind of sends shivers down my spine at the thought!


Tim on November 20th, 2007 at 7:49 pm #

You know, I gotta break from the crowd and say that the new ‘do is pretty fly…looks sort of sleek and spaceship-y…
T


jack on November 27th, 2007 at 2:23 am #

i like the green one. its something new