1921
Creation of Nonvitcha
“The idea was carried to the baptismal font in 1921,” despite administrative hassles, the apprehension that a Xwla-Xwéla nationalism could arouse, and the many attempts at diversion.
NV.00FROM THE KINGDOM OF TADO TO THE NONVITCHA ASSOCIATION
Our History& Our Origins
From the succession crisis over the throne of Tado in the early 15th century to the founding of the Nonvitcha Association in 1921 at Grand-Popo: the migration of Prince Mèto Adagba, the separation of the Xwla and the Xwéla, and then the 1919 journey that gave birth to the brotherhood.
NV.01HISTORICAL TIMELINE
The Great Milestones of the Brotherhood
Each milestone carries the period exactly as the source writes it — « Début XVe », « XVIe-XIXe », « 1919-1921 » — and not a reconstructed year. The figures named are those of the document.
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NV.02THE GENESIS — 1919
A journey, an observation, an idea
In 1919, Adolphe GNANSOUNOU AKPA, a Xwéla from the village of Doyi, travelled across the sub-region: Nigéria, Cameroun, Togo, Ghana. There he found “neither the warmth of friendship, nor the fraternal collaboration that ought to exist between the Xwéla and the Xwla.”
“They are brothers who ignore one another”
Adolphe GNANSOUNOU AKPA, on returning from his 1919 journey
From this observation an aim was born: “to create an association that would create opportunities for meetings and contact, in order to safeguard unity and promote the development of the Xwla and the Xwéla.” His cousin Siméon ABALO LOKO, a Xwla of the coast, gave his assent to the idea of bringing the communities together. The late Augustin Kokou AZANGO, a man of the intellectual elite and “the indispensable man of Grand-Popo, even in politics,” carried the idea of brotherhood.
The source notes that, according to the investigations, the founder “would be a Xwla, Ahouango of Ahouanyamè”: the two readings of his origin are reported here as they stand.
NV.031921 — 1933: THE FOUNDING
From idea to institution
1923
First gathering
The first popular ethnic gathering was “celebrated with quite particular brilliance,” under the presidency of Adolphe GNANSOUNOU AKPA, the first President.
1933
Official recognition
Under the regime of the law of 1st July 1901, the statutes were approved by decree N°1291/APA of 06 September 1933 of the Government of Dahomey.
NV.04THE PIONEERS
Those who carried Nonvitcha
The 2006 document names seven members of the first Federal Board and the pioneers of the first five sections. It does not specify their roles: these are therefore not shown.
First Federal Board
- Augustin Kokou AZANGO
- AZAMA MENSAH Nathaniel
- AMEGANKPOE Jonathan
- ZOUNON Abel
- AHOUANSOU Karl
- GBODOSSOU Valère
- Randolph DOSSOU
The first five sections
Grand-Popo
Pascal HOGBONOUTO · Mathieu Kakpo
Cotonou
KPENOU Isidore · André Kpognon · AMOUSSOU ADEBLE Germain
Athiémè
Robert Kingbo · Michel NOUDEHOU · Julien de Souza
Porto-Novo
Louis DEBOUTO · Lexis AHOUAHYE · GBOVI Galin
Lomé (Togo)
Robert GBEDEY · Richard GNANSOUNOU · ATOHOUN Basile
Sources for this page
Paper presented at the Day of Reflection on the revitalisation of the Nonvitcha Association and the development of the Xwla and Xwéla communities, by Me Robert DOSSOU and Prof. Sylvie HOUNZANGBE épouse ADOTE — 20 May 2006, Grand-Popo. Historical chronology of the Association for the seventeen milestones above.