Kumasi and Mole National Park

We went to Kumasi and Mole National Park during the first weekend of July, it was amazing! When we got to Kumasi we went to the Manhyla Palace Museum. The museum is actually the former home to many of the past Asante kings. We were about to see their offices and many artifacts of former kings. Every 42 days is the Adea festival where the Asante King goes out into town and pledges alligence to the people. To our surprise we were able to witness this great occasion. Many of the people were dressed in black robes and blew large horns to show their respect. Music and dancing took place all around the palace.

 After that we went to one of the many markets in Kumasi where I was able to buy some beautiful, yet very affordable, local art. The next day we went to Kintampo Falls. The day we went, July 1^st, is Republic Day so there were tons of people enjoying their day off. Typical of any Ghanaian celebration, or typical day for that matter, there was live music and lots of dancing. Dancing is a huge part of Ghanaian culture; one man said that Ghanaians are so good at dancing because when being held on the backs of their mothers as babies they fall asleep listening to the rhythm of her heart beat and therefore the rhythm and beat of music is forever a part of them. 

Kintampo Falls

After Kintampo, we traveled further up north to Mole National Park. The drive itself was long and bumpy but definitely worth it! The next morning we went on a walking safari through the park. It was amazing; I felt so in touch with nature, it was very calming. During our safari we saw many different animals including baboons, monkeys, waterbucks, warthogs, antelopes and elephants. It was incredible getting so close to the animals without having a fence between us. Towards the end of the safari we hiked up a big mountain with an amazing view of the park. Sitting on a rock taking in the view was one of my favorite parts of the whole trip. 

Elephant at Mole

Mole National Park

From there we went to Larabanga village, which is home to one of West Africa’s oldest mosques. After learning about the history of the mosque and the town we walked around the village with some friendly residents. I love how anywhere you go in Ghana you find genuinely good people who just want to share a piece of themselves with you.  

Mosque in Larabanga

In the afternoon we were able to go on a driving safari and got to sit on top of the SUV. It allowed for a new perspective of the land and was really a lot of fun! The following day we went to Kejitia Market, which is the largest open market in West Africa. There I was able to buy cloth, which I will have made into clothes by a local seamstress. After that we went to some famous Asanti craft villages – Ahwiaa, the wood carvers village, Ntonso, home of the Adinka, and Bonwire, the Kente weaving village. It was really neat seeing how African crafts are made and being able to purchase good directly from the artisans. 

Kejitia Market, Kumasi

Kente Weaver in Bonwire

LOVE,
Lindsay