Eastgate Hotel

The Ashanti tribe of the Akan...

by evliyasems

The Ashanti tribe of the Akan are the largest tribe in Ghana and one of the few matrilineal societies in West Africa. Once renown for the splendour and wealth of their rulers, they are most famous today for their craft work, particularly their hand-carved stools and fertility dolls and their colourful kente cloth. Kente cloth is woven in bright, narrow strips with complex patterns; it's usually made from cotton and is always woven outdoors, exclusively by men. The Ewé also weave kente cloth, and their more geometrical patterns contain symbolic designs handed down through the ages. Kente cloth is only worn in the southern half of the country and - as distinct from other forms of traditional weaving - is reserved mainly for joyous occasions.

Unlike virtually all other West Africans, Ghanaians do not use masks, although this is not to say they don't believe in supernatural powers and the fetishes used to invoke them. Rather, in Ghana this is most often accomplished using wooden or clay statuettes, often placed on altars in fetish houses. Fetish dolls in particular are treated like magical items, and women who want to ensure themselves beautiful, healthy children can be seen carrying the dolls around on their backs, with only the dolls' flat, fat heads protruding from their slings. In all sculpture, gender is very important, and body parts - especially the head, buttocks, breast and navel - are exaggerated in size.

Ghana has the highest percentage of Christians in West Africa, but the belief in traditional animist religions is still extremely common. Though each ethnic group has its own set of beliefs, there are some common threads. Though they all accept the existence of a Supreme Being (as well as reincarnation), the Creator is considered to be too exalted to be concerned with the affairs of humans. There are a host of lesser deities whose moods can be swayed through sacrifices, and ancestors are often deified as well. There are no great temples or written scriptures; beliefs and traditions are handed down through word of mouth. The Ewé, for example, have over 600 deities to turn to in times of need. Many village celebrations and ceremonies take place in honour of one or more deities.

Soups, which are more like sauces, are the mainstay of Ghanaian cuisine. They're usually fairly thick broths and are eaten with a starch. Popular stews include groundnut, garden egg, fish, bean leaf and forowe, a fishy brew with tomatoes. Other main courses are jollof rice, a paella-like dish with meat; kyemgbuma, crabs with cassava dough, meat and potatoes; and gari foto, eggs, onions, dried shrimp and tomatoes accompanied by gari (course manioc flour). Another ubiquitous staple is fufu, which consists of cassava, yam, plantain or manioc that has been cooked, pureed and mashed into a ball. Kelewele, a spicy dessert of fried plantains seasoned with chilli pepper and ginger, is a popular street-stall item, as is askenkee, a cool, white, nonalcoholic beverage made of corn. Pito (millet beer) is the booze of choice in the north, while palm wine is more popular in the south.

Accra citycentre

by sachara

Accra is a lifely city, but easygoing at the same time. I stayed in Accra several times. The more I came back anf strolled around, the more I liked the city. Since my first three visits in the 80s a lot has changed. There are many more hotels, restaurants and shops and a lot of more traffic. You can find internet at several places in town. What a difference compared with my first visit. In 1980 I had to wait one week for an international call at the head postoffice.

What to see while walking around downtown:
* The big lifely Makola market and the shops around.
* The arts centre with a big craft market.

What to visit going a little away from the citycentre:
* Labadi beach,east of the centre.
* Legon University with a nice campus, bookstore and libraries, 5 KM north of Kotoka airport.
* Aburi gardens, 30 KM north from the city.

The Capitol of Ghana, it's also the largest city

by atufft

"Capitol of Peaceful Ghana"

Accra was established as the capitol at independence in 1960. Under the charismatic leadership of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana became a neutral and peaceful force in West African politics. His tomb has a substantial monument and museum complex around it.

"The Government buildings"

Ghana inherited British government and values, and the buildings reflect the colonial influence. Local Chiefs have lost power in much the same way as the British House of Lords. Since Nkrumah, Ghana's government has suffered several military coups in attempts to counter civilian corruption. the most noteable of which was by the popular Jerry Rawlings. Rawlings leadership continued until the late 1990s, turning dictatorship into elected government. Currrently, the elected leadership of Ghana contends with a variety of economic and political challenges, but remains the most stable of West Africa's nations.

"Accra has beaches"

The urban beach scene in Accra is dominated by private clubs of sorts, which charge a small fee to enter. Although much of the coastline is rocky, there is some excellent sand too. Relax and enjoy the people watching as a wide variety of entertain is tolerated at the beach.