Kumasi: An Anthology of Statues

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If you read my previous travel post on arts and crafts then u know i have been staying in Kumasi the capital city of the Ashanti region of Ghana for the past two weeks now. I must say my stay has been awesome. So many things to do and see here. Kumasi though cosmopolitan has a very rich cultural history. The city is predominantly made of the Ashanti tribe who are a tribe of people known to be proud of their culture. Social gatherings and events especially funerals are a must see. One of the things i like about Kumasi which makes it distinct from other regional capitals of Ghana is how nicely they decorate public spaces. Hardly do you pass by a roundabout without seeing a statue or a monument of some sort. Therefore for the past 2 weeks i have been here, i put it upon myself to document some of my favourite statues and monuments in the city. Most of the people you would see made in statues are people who have had an impact on the city and the region at large. Therefore there is a plethora of statues which represent spiritual leaders, political leaders, past Ashanti kings and what have you. These are some of the statues and are by no means exhaustive i would be adding more as i see them.

            

Okomfo Anokye was a revered spiritual leader in Ashanti legend has it that he conjured the "golden stool"(which is the embodiment of the Ashanti people) from the sky.

One of my favourites 

                                   

Dr, Kwame Nkrumah Ghanas' first prime minister and later president. He was known to be at the forefront of the battle for independence in Ghana. This statue can be found in front of the University of Science and Technology which is named after him. 

The Insignia of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

An Ashanti king 

This can be found at Kumasi business district

Yet to be unveiled can't wait to come back in December and see what it is.

Nania Slave Music

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I made this short video when i visited Nania Pikworo a slave camp in the Upper East region of Ghana. It is a video of tour guide demonstrating the drumming and singing that went on at the slave camp when the slaves were forced to make merry.

If you like this video and you would like to visit Nania click for all tourism information...

The Perfect Smock

Tweet Anytime i go to Wa (Wa is the regional capital of the Upper West a post on the town coming soon)  i see a lot of shops which sell smocks of all kinds. Smocks for men, women and children and honestly i have always wanted to get one because it looks good on people especially when we go to church on Sunday. So i went to town to find the perfect smock. A smock is made by weaving threads on a loom to form the cloth then sold to the designers who in turn cut and create them into nice pieces of wearable art.

One of my personal favourites

These are photos of a few shops i visited, most smocks had two-tone colour design.

Weavers weaving the threads to make the cloth

A craftsman busy at work

This is the perfect fit for me...

A Traditional Funeral

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I have been in the Upper west region Wa west district for about 7 months now, i have been to a couple of traditional funerals which i might say for someone who is not used to the culture is quite a spectacle. There is drumming from the time a person passes away till the day he or she is buried. Funerals are usually two day affairs which starts in the afternoon on a scheduled ground where the deceased is laid in state usually under a tree. Immediate family sit near by and receive condolences and welcome sympathisers.

Things i  found interesting at the funeral grounds

1. Everybody comes in normal attire ( except immediate family who usually black smocks)
2. Most people brought their own chair or stool
3. Traders from the village market bring their products like vegetables, food, provisions etc to the funeral grounds to sell 

                     

Guest arriving at funeral grounds

                   

Musical instruments ready

Drumming begins

Traditional three legged stools mourners bring to funerals

                              

Lets dance!!!

There is a lot of drumming and dancing in the later part of the day after most guests have arrived. The call to dance is usually detected by by hitting the high pitch on the xylophone whiles the drummer plays at a fast pace. The dance which starts in the latter part of the afternoon is done by jostling ones body vigorously back and forward whiles stamping the feet on the ground. I tried doing the dance and i must add it's quite intense. The drumming and dancing continue till dark whiles the corpse is buried close to his former residence.