Traditional lost-wax casting
The small Ghanian village of Sokoban Krofrom is famous for traditional brass casting of beads, jewellery and statues. Using techniques that haven’t changed for generations, it is the community’s main source of income. Our journey took us along a kilometre of road where houses on both sides covered in red brick dust. The road before […]…
An Ashanti palace and museum
Manhiya Palace Manhyia Palace in Ghana was built in 1926 for the Ashanti King, Nana Prempeh I, on his return from exile in the Seychelles having been overthrown by the British Gold Coast governor in 1896. It is where gold, looted by the British, and currently in the V&A and British Museum, will be returned […]…
Finding out about the benefits of Propalis
I didn’t know stingless bees existed, so was intrigued by a visit to The International Stingless Bee Centre, which claims to be Ghana’s number one ecotourism site. The guide produced pictures of the five types of stingless bee. Each builds a different style of entrance to the nest, for example, the Meliponula creates a round […]…
Weaving, chocolate and stamping
Whilst visiting Ghana we had the opportunity to learn about kente cloth, the legendary eye-catching fabric worn by African kings down the centuries. At the Adanwomase Tourist Centre our guide explained that the word kente is derived from ‘kenten,’ which means ‘basket’ as it resembles the cloth’s woven design which is always made in strips, […]…
The last remains of Ghana’s ancient Ashanti civilisation
Near Ghana’s second city Kumasi, is the UNESCO listed Ashanti Traditional Buildings Site, made up of ten ancient fetish shrines. We visited the only one formally geared up for tourism, the Tano Yaw shrine in the village of Ejisu-Besease. The Ashanti civilization peaked in the 18th century and the shrines are their last material remains. […]…
Exploring mountain villages in rural Togo
Having spent time in Togo’s capital city, Lomé, we also visited Kpalimé, a rural area noted for its green hills, cocoa and coffee plantations, and unspoilt mountain landscapes. There are also lots of small traditional villages and our itinerary included a walk around Kouma Konda – one of 10 villages with populations ranging from 300 […]…
Sightseeing in a capital city being renovated
Sightseeing in Benin’s capital, Porto-Novo, was disappointing. The President, Patrice Talon, has launched a ‘Benin Revealed’ programme designed to promote beach and cultural tourism, but it is still work in progress, and both the Musée da Silva and the Ethnographic Museum were closed for renovation. Although the Royal Palace Musée Honmé was open, it hadn’t […]…
Little to see in Benin’s administrative capital
Cotonou is for all intents and purposes Benin’s capital, although the official capital is the smaller Porto-Novo, just 30km away. Whilst we stayed in Cotonou for three nights, using it as a base for excursions, we found little to see in the city itself. However, this is set to change with President Patrice Talon’s ‘Benin […]…
Where art and food combine
It’s always good when food and art combine, which it did beautifully at The Museum of the Zinsou Foundation in Ouidah, Benin. After a morning of sightseeing, we stopped for lunch in the light and airy café which was adorned with relaxing murals of the beach and palm trees. As it was a full day, […]…
A somber slave route being turned into a theme park
As well as voodoo, Benin’s city of Ouidah, is known for its role in the 17th to 19th century Atlantic slave trade. What is known as The Slave Route highlighted the journey captives would have taken before boarding the ships. We began at Tchatcha Square, where newly arrived slaves would be auctioned as a commodity, […]…
A forest full of voodoo deities
The Sacred Forest or Forest of Kpassè is located on the outskirts of Ouidah, in Benin. According to folklore, when King Kpassè, a 16th century ruler of the kingdom of Whydah, felt he was going to die, he didn’t want his body to be seen by his children, but after many signs from a peacock […]…
Conquering ophidiophobia
Sightseeing in Ouidah, the voodoo centre of West Africa, sounded like an unforgettable experience, although as I suffer from ophidiophobia, I was somewhat apprehensive about a visit to The Temple of Pythons. However, I decided it was time to conquer my fear of snakes and watched You Tube videos, so I knew what to expect. […]…
