Initiatory rites, sexual activity, and early pregnancies of adolescent girls in the savannah region of Togo: Views of canton chiefs, priests and initiates

Teenage pregnancy and marriage are major concerns in many schools in Togo, due to the large number of cases recorded each year by the Ministry of Primary, Secondary, Technical Education, and Handicrafts. The aim of this article is to describe the rites associated with early pregnancy and the perceptions held by the populations of Gando in the Savannah region. The study was based on documentary research and interviews with several actors, including initiating priests, canton chiefs, and young initiates. The results show that the rites: Okpenkpen, Tkonte, Ignogues have a link with early pregnancy, and the populations perceive them relatively well.