Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TEXTILES
Kente cloth, with its distinctive basketwork pattern in garish colours, is Ghana's signature cloth. Originally worn
only by Ashanti royalty, it is still some of the most expensive material in Africa. The cloth can be single-, double-
or triple-weaved and the colour and design of the cloth worn are still important indicators of status and clan alle-
giance.
Kente is woven on treadle looms, by men only, in long thin strips that are sewn together. Its intricate geometric
patterns are full of symbolic meaning, while its orange-yellow hues indicate wealth.
Arts & Crafts
Ghana has a rich artistic heritage. Objects are created not only for their aesthetic value but
as symbols of ethnic identity or to commemorate historical or legendary events, to convey
cultural values or to signify membership of a group.
The Akan people of the southern and central regions are famous for their cloth, gold-
work, woodcarving, chiefs' insignia (such as swords, umbrella tops and linguist staffs),
pottery and bead-making.
Around Bolgatanga in the north, fine basket weaving and leatherwork are traditional
crafts. Drums and carved
oware
boards - the game of
oware
has various names
throughout West Africa - are also specialities.
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Food & Drink
Fiery sauces and oily soups are the mainstay of Ghanaian cuisine and are usually served
with a starchy staple like rice,
fufu
(cooked and mashed cassava, plantain or yam) or
banku
(fermented maize meal).
About the most common dish you'll find is groundnut stew, a warming, spicy dish
cooked with liquefied groundnut paste, ginger and either fish or meat. Palm-nut soup
(fashioned from tomatoes, ginger, garlic and chilli pepper, as well as palm nut) takes its
bright red colour from palm oil. Red-red is a delicous bean stew normally served with
fried plantain.
Cold water is sold everywhere in plastic sachets (called 'pure water') for about C0.10.
Fresh fruit juices are, oddly, rather hard to find. Beer, on the other hand, isn't: popular
brands include Star, Club, Gulder and Guinness. For something stronger, look no further
than
akpeteshie
(palm wine), the fiery local spirit made from palm wine.
