CULTURE
Like other African peoples,
the Togolese have a strong oral tradition. Little has been done,
however, to promote vernacular literature. Before independence
there were a few Togolese writers using French. Since independence,
regional (especially Ewe) literature emerged with the works of
several novelists and playwrights. Founded in 1967, the African
Ballet of Togo has aimed at popularizing the finest traditional
dances.
Some 66 percent of Togo’s
labor force is engaged in agriculture; these farmers cultivate
40 percent of the country’s land. The principal food crops
are cassava, yams, corn, millet, and sorghum. The leading export
crops are coffee (17,000 metric tons produced in 2000), cotton
(200,000 metric tons), and cacao (9,000 metric tons). Livestock
raising is important on the northern plateau. In 2000 the country
had 740,000 sheep, 1.1 million goats.
Togo is a leading world producer
of phosphates, which are by far the country’s most significant
mineral product. In 1999, 1.7 million metric tons of phosphate
rock were mined. Industrial activity is limited but growing. The
leading manufactures include cement, flour, palm oil, cotton textiles,
beverages, and soap.
