Ghana, once the Gold Coast, is a wealthy nation known for its lush forest, diverse animal population, and deep cultural history. The nation is one of the leading countries in Africa and the first Sub-Saharan to get its independence from colonial rule.
It has over 50 indigenous languages and the most prominent ones are Akan, Ewe, Ga, Dagaare, and Dagbani. English is the country’s official language, whereas 11 languages are taught in schools.
Are you curious to know about Ghana? Here are some Intriguing facts about this country.
1. It has a Tribe that Practices the Matrilineal System
The Akan tribe of Ghana is one of the eight tribes in Africa that practice the Matrilineal system. They believe that lineage and inheritance are traced to a mother’s kinship group; a child is related to his mother by blood and the father by spirit.
Moreso, the child is related to his maternal uncles and aunts by blood. The aunts become mothers and the Uncles retain that title. A shocking fact about the Akan people is they don’t have relatives like cousins. The children of your Uncle are your kids and the children of your aunts are your siblings. So basically, The fathers acquire children through their sisters.
2. Crocodiles are Sacred to the Ghanaians
Zenga also known as Paga is a sacred pool in the town of Paga where crocodiles are preserved and kept. It is termed sacred because the people believe the crocodiles hold the souls of the deceased, inclusive of their ancestors.
Interestingly, these crocodiles have never tried to harm anyone in the community. Children in the community swim in the pond without getting hurt and tourists are allowed to touch and play with them.
3. The Genre of Music, HighLife Originated In Ghana
Highlife music originated in Ghana in the 19th century and was influenced by Western musical styles, particularly jazz as well as traditional African rhythms and melodies. In its early stages, it was performed by brass bands in local drinking bars with guitars as lead instruments.
Subsequently, the genre gained popularity throughout West Africa for its upbeat, danceable rhythms and socially conscious lyrics that often comment on contemporary issues.
Today, highlife music continues to be an important cultural tradition in Ghana and is enjoyed by audiences around the world.
Additionally, it is not the only thing that has originated from Ghana, the word ‘Kwashiorkor’ was adopted from the Ga language. It gained recognition in 1930 after people referred it to sick children who suffered from a lack of protein and other essential minerals and vitamins.
4. Ghana Has 6 Tentative Sites and 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Ghana is one of the nations with at least two UNESCO World Heritage Sites aside from countries that have none. The first is the Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central, and Western Regions. This site consists of 17th and 18th-century forts and castles built by European powers for the transatlantic slave trade. The second site is the Asante Traditional Buildings, located in Kumasi, which showcases traditional Asante architecture and culture.
Ghana has also identified six tentative UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Nzulezo Stilt Settlement, Wli Waterfalls, and the Mole National Park. Nzulezo is a village built entirely on stilts above a lake, Wli is the highest waterfall in West Africa, and Mole is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna. The other three tentative sites are the Buabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, the Bia National Park, and the Kyabobo National Park
5. The Kente Cloth Represents Proverbs and Symbols of Its People
The Kente cloth is known to be the traditional attire of the Ghanaians but little is known that the piece of cloth is often represented by a proverb or symbol.
The motifs, patterns, and colors put together have distinct meanings and names. Some of the symbolism include ‘To Err is Human’, ‘Crisis in the Oyoko Nation’, ‘Money attracts blood relations’, ‘Rising sun’, ‘Star’, and ‘Lean your poverty on your Agyeman’.
Additionally, reading the meanings of the kente cloth can be done with the color of the Kente. Black stands for spiritual strength, maturity, mourning, and funeral rites. Red stands for blood, death, political passion, and strength. Blue signifies peace, love, unity, and harmony. Gold or Yellow stands for Wealth and Royalty. Green signifies growth, harvest, and renewal. White for Purity, cleansing rites, and festive occasions. Lastly, Purple or Maroon represents Mother Earth, healing, and protection from evil.
7. The Largest Open-Air Market in West Africa is Located in Ghana
The Kumasi Central Market also known as the Kejetia Market is the largest open-air market in West Africa at the moment. The market is located in Kumasi, the capital city of the Ashanti Region.
The Kejetia Market is the heart of all commercial and socio-economic activity in Ghana with an enormous number of traders, selling everything from handicrafts to food to textiles. The market abodes over 50,000 stores and satisfies the needs of everyone, from products to leisure centers, restaurants, and live voodoo performances. Kejetia is more than just a market for one to experience.
Moreover, visitors are received warmly by the traders and are allowed to sample native products and local delicious treats whilst shopping for handcrafted souvenirs.
8. The Dead are Respected With a Fantasy Coffin
In Ghana, families who believe that life transcends after death have a tradition that the dead should be buried in something they represent or the job they did while alive, so they remember their lives while on earth.
With respect to this, Fantasy coffins are made; coffins in the shape of an object that reflects the interest of the individual. The coffins are often brightly colored and intricately designed ranging from animals to everyday objects.
This tradition dates back to the 1950s and has become a cultural phenomenon, attracting tourists and art collectors worldwide.
See Also: 150+ Ghanaian Female Names And Meanings
9. Ghana Have Different Chocolate Brands Due to Its High Produce of Cocoa
Ghana is the second largest Cocoa producer in Africa after Ivory Coast. The exportation of these Cocoa has been the essential ingredient in the chocolate industry. The chocolates seen around the world have been mounted by the produce of Ghana as a major exporting country.
Ghana over the years has had its own brands of chocolate such as Bioko Chocolates, Adansi Chocolates, Fairafic Organic Chocolate, 57 Chocolate, De’ laugh Chocolates, and Chocoluv Chocolates. Moreover, Golden Tree has also produced many types of chocolate in the country. As it is, now they do just farm Cocoa for chocolates they also produce theirs.
10. The Country Has Witch Camps
There are over 5 witch camps in Ghana housing over 500 women in each. The camps are mostly located in Northern Ghana where women are hunted as witches in the communities.
The settlements have been made as refugee camps for women who are hunted and often accused of Killing their husbands, and other unintentional fatalities are attributed to these ladies. The communities label them as a bad omen, which causes the practice of witch-hunting. Some of them are either lynched or burned alive and in the quest for survival, they run to these camps.
However, the government has been trying to shut down the witch camps and educate the public that the accused women are innocent and witchcraft doesn’t exist. In 2014, The camp in central Gonja District was shut down and the women were sent back to their communities. As of 2015, the government had shut down quite a number of camps. Nevertheless, the country still holds a number of camps at the moment.