Togo has an extreme climate. Unlike other parts of the world, there are only two main seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. The dry season brings harmattan winds to the country, which are dry winds from the Sahara Desert that carry dust through the air. During the rainy season, it rains almost every day, creating the tropical climate I experience here in the southern region of Plateaux. Despite these extreme conditions, Togo is a beautiful place.
I am a tree, but not a regular tree. I do not have a thick trunk with dark brown bark, and I do not have branches full of tiny leaves. Instead, I have one large stalk that splits into a handful of long, wide leaves that billow gently in the wind. My leaves stretch far and support the fruit that I grow.
My trunk and roots are not very strong, and I have been known to fall during rainstorms. Still, you can see me all over the village because even if I fall, my trunk is light and does not cause much damage.
I am the banana tree, or bananier in French.
