Kumasi is Ghana’s “second city,” as well as the Ashanti people’s ancestral land and modern home. Learn more about nature, craftsmanship, local life, and history in this unique city.
It’s the home of the Akan culture
The Asantehene (monarch of the Ashanti people) lives in a new palace next to the former Manhyia Palace, which is now a museum. Through exhibits and artifacts, delve into the history of this deeply rooted tribe and learn about the Anglo-Ashanti War, the golden stool, and all the Akan kings and queens.
Pick up local artwork at the Ntoso Adinkra Village
This government-supported cooperative village is the only place to go if you want to purchase indigenous handicrafts. Learn about Adinkra symbols, which are visual symbols with Akan roots that represent concepts or aphorisms, try out the Adinkra printing process, and purchase a strip of this unusual symbol-laden fabric.
It has an incredible crater lake
Lake Bosumtwi is one of Ghana’s natural wonders and the country’s only natural lake. It is thought to be over one million years old and was formed by an impact crater after a meteor measuring 10.5 km (6.5 miles) in diameter fell. In local tradition, the souls of the dead travel to the lake to bid farewell to one of the Akan gods. A beautiful and peaceful location, its natural beauty and serene presence on the outskirts of the city are appreciated.
Witness the tradition of the Akwasidae Festival
Every six weeks on Sunday, the Ashanti people and chiefs celebrate the Ashanti king’s festival. These celebrations include drumming, dancing, and the consumption of special dishes such as eto, or mashed yams, in accordance with the Akan calendar, which is divided into nine six-week blocks. After his traditional procession in which he is carried on a palanquin, the Asantehene meets with his sub-chiefs and holds a durbar at the Manhiya Palace.
It’s known as the Garden City
There are numerous opportunities to get back to nature, including KNUST Botanical Garden, Rattray Park, and the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary. A perennially green city located in a rainforest region, the area receives more rainfall than Accra due to cleaner air and wider open spaces.
It is home to the sprawling Kejetia Market
Kejetia (also known as the Kumasi Central Market) is a massive, sprawling shopping center that is often regarded as the largest market in West Africa due to its 11,000 stalls and an estimated four times as many people working there. Everything, including foodstuffs, fabric and batik, shoes, clothing, and household items, is for sale here. Take a walk to get a sense of local life, but get a guide from the Tourist Authority to help you make sense of it all because the market can be confusing.
Discover the art and history of the kente cloth
This popular interwoven fabric is native to the Akan people and has been woven for many years on hand-operated looms. Chiefs wear the most striking examples on festival days, with rich color and heavy cotton. Visit the Adanwomase Kente Cloth and Tourism village to see traditional loom weaving in action and pick up a few yards of the fabric for a comprehensive history of this fascinating subject.
