In this post, we explained the Ghana cultural heritages which includes Ghanaian architecture, decor, European-built Forts and Castles, and other colonial-era buildings, etc.
What is Cultural Heritage?
1. Cultural heritage can be defined as the legacy of physical artifacts (cultural property) and intangible attributes of a group or society inherited from the past. Cultural Heritage is a concept which offers a bridge between the past and the future with the application of particular approaches in the present.
2. Cultural heritage is the heritage of tangible and intangible heritage assets of a group or society that is inherited from past generations.
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The cultural heritage of Ghana comprises monuments which include buildings of traditional Ghanaian architecture and decor, such as the Asante Traditional Buildings, the European-built Forts and Castles, and other colonial-era buildings.
The UNESCO Listed World Heritage Properties in Ghana are: The Forts and Castles along the coast of Ghana from Beyin in the Western Region to Keta in the Volta Region, including those in ruins, and the ten remaining Asante Traditional Buildings in and around Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region.
ABOUT GHANA
Ghana pulsates with life. From the bustle of downtown Accra to the atmospheric adobe villages of the north, from the ancient Kingdom of Asante to the mediaeval mosques of Larabnga and Bole, it is a country whose immense cultural diversity both thrills and fascinates visitors, drawing them into a daily rhythm that is uniquely and unmistaken African. A common feature of all Ghanaian cultures is a love of festivals.
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The normal starting point for exploring Ghana is the historical capital Accra, one of the safest and most navigable of African cities, and brimming with interest. Accra’s atmospheric older quarters Ussher town and Jamestown are characterized by an architectural cocktail spanning several centuries, spiced with striking landmarks such as the 17th century Osu Castle and Jamestown Lighthouse, the more modern Independence Arch and Nkrumah Mausoleum, and the lively fishing market. Modem Accra is epitomized by Cantonments Road, more widely known as Oxford District, Accra’s hip downtown with bustling shops, handicrafts, fabrics, hotels, restaurants, etc.
Ghana’s second city Kumasi is the traditional capital for the Asante people. Traditional Ashanti landmarks include a beautiful 300-year old fetish shrine at Besease, the royal kente weaving village of Bonwire, and Manhyia Palace, where the Asante King sits in session every sixth Sunday, heralded by a procession of dignitaries and a fanfare of exuberant drumming and horn blowing that capture the pageantry of Asante’s past.
HERITAGE IN GHANA
The Listed Heritage Properties in Ghana are:
The Forts and Castles along the coast of Ghana from Beyin in the Western Region to Keta in the Volta Region, including those in ruins, and the ten remaining Asante Traditional Buildings in and around Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region.
The following sites are on the tentative list of Heritage Properties:
- Kakum National Park (17/01/2000)
- Mole National Park (17/01/2000)
- Navrongo Catholic Cathedral (17/01/2000)
- Nzulezu Stilt Settlement (17/01/2000)
- Trade pilgrimage routes of north-western Ghana (17/01/2000)
- Tengzug – Tallensi settlements (17/01/2000)
- The National Museum, Accra (1957)
- Museum of Science and Technology (MST), Accra (1963)
- Volta Regional Museum, Ho (1973)
- The Cape Coast Castle Museum (1974)
- Museum of Nzema Culture and History – Fort Apollonia (2010)
- Upper East Regional Museum, Bolgatanga (1991)
- St. George’s Castle (Elmina Castle) Museum (1997)
Festival Cultural Heritage
A popular feature of Ghana is the great festivals held around the country, for the most joyous affairs when locals dress up in their finest traditional attire and tourists are welcome to join in. Some of the most important of perhaps 100 local festivals have become special tourism events.
Drumming and Dancing Cultural Heritage
Cape Coast hosts an array of talented musicians, and you can take a class with one of the best! Learn some West African songs, their history and their dances. Africa is well-known for their music, and the dancing that accompanies it. You can participate in these wonderful arts that have been performed for centuries. Learn how villages use “talking drums” to communicate within the village and between different villages—a technique that is still in use today. Learn a traditional song and dance that is performed at funerals and weddings.
Nzulezo Village
The fascinating stilted village of Nzulezo, founded some 500 years ago above the jungle-bound Lake Amansuri, centerpiece of a community-based wetland reserve that supports a dazzling assemblage of rare brids.
Larabanga Mosque
The haunting crvaceuos adobe architecture of northern Ghana, exemp- lified by the medieval Larabanga Mosque nears the entrance of Mole National Park, and the century-old Wa-a’sPalace in the remote town of Wa.
Posuban Shrines Cultural Heritage
The Posuban shrines of Elmina, Anomabu and Mankessim, outsized and mildly surreal military storehouse whose fusion of indigenous and exotic iconography attests to five centuries of interaction with European traders and settlers.
Abosomfie “Fetish Shrines”
The ten ancient Abosomfie ‘fetish shrines’ that dot the lush countryside of Asante, many of which remain in active use, and which were collectively proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
The W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre
This center was built in memory of the famous African-American scholar – born civil rights leader, who spent his last years in Accra. this is the place for Pan African Culture
Centre for National Culture “Arts Centre”
The Centre’s arts and crafts bazaar and traditional textile market is the best place in Accra to find tradional handicrafts from all over Ghana.