Za-Kpota

Za-Kpota is a town, arrondissement, and commune in Zou Department, south-western Benin, one of the department's nine communes. It covers about 600 km² and had roughly 132,800 residents at the 2002 census (density around 570/km², among the densest in the department). It is composed of eight arrondissements — Allahé, Assalin, Houngomey, Kpakpamè, Kpozoun, Tanta, Za-Kpota, and Zèko — with dozens of villages and city quarters. The population is principally Mahi, with Yoruba and Dendi minorities. Agriculture occupies the large majority of the workforce (about 85%), with trade, crafts, and other services making up the rest.

Za-Kpota is reached by road from Bohicon, the department's main transport hub, just to its north. Shared bush taxis and zemidjan (motorcycle taxis) cover the route; schedules and fares are informal and not centrally published.

Walking within the town; shared taxi or motorcycle to reach the outlying arrondissements.

The commune's Yoruba minority keeps alive traditions such as the Guèlèdè masked ceremony (a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage practice found across southern Benin's Yoruba-Nago communities), which may be held locally around harvest time or for major life events.

Market days and walks through the densely farmed surrounding villages are the main activities for a rural commune of this kind.

Bottled water and soft drinks are available locally; palm wine is produced in the region.

Produce, maize, and basic provisions at local markets.

• Bohicon — Zou department's main transport hub, immediately to the north.
• Abomey — Seat of the UNESCO-listed Royal Palaces of Dahomey.
• Cotonou — Benin's economic capital, further south.