Way of Remembering 2027 Participant Handbook

Akwaaba. You are preparing for a sacred return — eleven days in West Africa among elders, royals, ritual and community. This handbook gathers everything a participant needs in one place.

Treat this page as the living source of truth. Printed copies and forwarded documents can go out of date; this page is updated whenever a detail is confirmed. Use the contents menu to jump to a section, and use Print or Save Handbook to keep an offline PDF for travel.

1. 1Register. Complete the participant application at metomovement.com/pilgrimage.
2. 2Join the community. Join the participant WhatsApp community for announcements and preparation.
3. 3Begin the curriculum. Start the free online Way of Remembering course — Phase I of the journey.
4. 4Secure your seat. Pay the $1,500 reserved group airfare in full by October 1, 2026. Only 50 reserved seats exist.
5. 5Complete the program fee. Pay the $2,500 program fee in full by November 1, 2026.
6. 6Prepare to travel. Passport, e-visa, yellow fever documentation, medical questionnaire, packing.

Need help with cost? See the scholarship application. Awards are limited, may be partial, and are not guaranteed.

• October 1, 2026

  $1,500 reserved group airfare paid in full

  Participant deadline to secure one of only 50 reserved group seats.

• October 20, 2026

  Passenger names due to Ethiopian Airlines

  Names must match your passport exactly.

• November 1, 2026

  $2,500 program fee paid in full

  Final program payment completing your participation.

• January 2, 2027

  Group departure from Washington Dulles

  ET517 departs IAD at 8:50 PM.

• January 16, 2027

  Group return to Washington Dulles

  ET516 departs Lomé at 12:35 PM, arriving IAD 7:05 PM.

• Passenger names must match your passport exactly and are due to the airline by October 20, 2026.
• Reserved group seats are limited to 50 and are secured by full airfare payment by October 1, 2026.
• Participants arranging independent round-trip travel must provide verifiable itinerary details to program staff.
• Baggage allowances and schedules are set by the airline and may change; check your confirmation before travel.

The group flies into Lomé, Togo and travels by ground into Benin, so both countries' entry requirements apply.

• Yellow fever vaccination documentation is required for entry — carry your WHO Yellow Card with your passport.
• Speak with your own physician or a travel-health clinic well before departure about vaccinations, malaria prevention and any personal health needs. Program staff do not provide medical advice.
• Bring prescription medications in original labeled containers with enough supply for the full journey plus a buffer.
• Carry travel and medical insurance details with you and share them with program staff as requested.

Some program days include travel between sites; overnight arrangements for those days will be confirmed with the final itinerary.

This is a draft packing list that program staff may refine once the final itinerary and accommodations are confirmed. It is general travel guidance, not medical advice — talk with your own clinician about anything health related.

The free online Way of Remembering curriculum is Phase I of the journey — twelve modules on history, healing, symbols, Fa, the cycle of life, and the welcome of the King. Participants are strongly encouraged to work through it before departure.

• Learn basic greetings and courtesies; French is widely spoken in Benin and Togo.
• Follow guidance from elders and hosts during ceremony; ask before photographing people or rituals.
• Dress modestly at sacred sites and bring appropriate ceremonial clothing.

His Majesty Meto Ahoussan IX / Dr. Erick V. Gbodossou

Host and spiritual leader of the Way of Remembering in Tado

Additional Benin-based program staff, guides and facilitators for 2027 will be listed here as they are confirmed.

We never publish links to participant response databases or private files.

• Participant WhatsApp community — primary channel for announcements.
• meto.prometra@gmail.com — program email.
• metomovement.com — the full site.
• Participant brochure

Optional text-message updates are available — check the SMS box on any of our forms. Consent is never a condition of participation, and you can reply STOP at any time. See our Terms and Privacy Policy.

• Enroll in the U.S. State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before departure: step.state.gov.
• U.S. Embassy Cotonou, Benin: bj.usembassy.gov.
• U.S. Embassy Lomé, Togo: tg.usembassy.gov.
• Review current travel advisories for Benin and Togo before you travel.
• Carry printed emergency contacts, your insurance details and the program email; do not rely only on your phone.
• In-country, follow the instructions of program staff and stay with the group during ceremonies and site visits.