Info For Y'all Nzema People: Their Unique Kundum/Abissa Festival In Addition To Unique Nzelezu Hamlet On The Surface Of A River

Nzema people also known every bit Ndenye or Apollonians (in Ivory Coast) are an Akan people numbering nearly 328,700 people of whom 262,000 alive inwards southwestern Republic of Ghana as well as 66,700 alive inwards the southeast of Côte d'Ivoire. The Nzema are divided into the Evalue, Dwira, Ellembelle as well as Jomoro. During the 19th century Nzema was i part until the deportation of the ruler Kaku Akaa.

Nzema adult woman from Grand Bassam,Ivory Coast inwards traditional Nzema wearing apparel dancing with an effigy at Abissa Festival

 In 1857, immature Nzema main Kaku Aka warned all of the coastal chiefs nearly the gravity of settler activity regarding slavery. He independently galvanized the local chiefs to destination slavery. He was captured past times the British as well as exiled (http://www.jstor.org/pss/1161544). 
The Nzema are mostly farmers with some sizable numbers also engaged inwards fishing. Their body of body of water boundary, Cape Three Point gave Republic of Ghana its oil-fields. The Nzema body of body of water inwards giving Republic of Ghana unsmooth fossil oil has cemented the famous saying inwards Republic of Ghana that "The Best Always Comes from the West."

                Beautiful Nzema adult woman as well as fashion model from Ghana,Catherine Hermans Yankey

The linguistic communication of Nzema people is also known every bit Nzima (in Ghana) or Appolo (in the Ivory Coast). Their diverse versions of the Nzema linguistic communication differ only really slightly inwards really few insignificant ways. It shares 60% intelligibility with Jwira-Pepesa as well as is unopen to Baoule. There is all the same only i criterion written Nzema language.

                    Nzema (Apollo) tribe kid inwards her tradtional kente wearing apparel from Grand Basam,Ivory Coast
                   at Abissa festival.

"The Portuguese who landed on the Nzema coast on the feast – hateful solar daytime of St. Apollonia gave the call APOLLONIA, but inwards December, 1927, the indigenous call NZEMA was officially readopted every bit the Portuguese call meant piddling to the inhabitants. This newspaper has a limited purpose - to line Nzema traditions of origin, migration routes as well as settlement patterns every bit derived from Republic of Ghana National Archives (GNA), the repository of official documents as well as historical traditions. The best employment concern human relationship of this menses is provided past times C. W Welman: “Native States of the Gold Coast; showing us that the Nzema receive got a really long history.

There is the problem, of firmly establishing the ethnic identity of the nuclear Nzema, including the affair of determining the peradventure early on presence inwards the expanse of people speaking kwa-Akan or Kwa-Guan. However, entries from Provincial commissioner’s File, Sekondi, dated 25th October, 1924, indicates that “the Nzema linguistic communication has an affinity with the Aowin dialect as well as with Gwira, Ajumoro (the dialect of the Apatem village) as well as Evalue (Axim).” Despite profound dissimilarities as well as a broad make of variation inwards their ancestral backgrounds, these heterogonous groups soundless portion a distinctive substratum of cultural as well as linguistic identity with the Guan – speaking people of Republic of Ghana after their going off from the mutual ancestral society.

For to a greater extent than details on a unopen genetic relationship, see, for example, J, G Christaller (1881). D. Westermann (Berlin, 1922), as well as colin Painter – “the Distribution of Guan inwards Ghana” (Journal of West African Languages IV, 1967).

Oral traditions amid the Nzema are unanimous on the dot that their founding ancestors originally lived somewhere along the N’Zi River which runs parallel to the Comoe River inwards north-eastern Cote d’Ivoire. As the autochthonous people along the Comoe River became known every bit the “kimbu people” (later Akuamu people), the N’Zi dwellers were nicknamed the N’Zi people, hence Nzi-mba became corrupted into NZIMA.

During this period, in that place were strife as well as unrest inwards the neighbouring regions of Kankyeabo as well as Bouna nigh the Kong Mountains. For the Mande, at an unknown appointment as well as for reasons no longer remembered, invaded the region. They were ferocious fighters who were said to hack their enemies into pieces. This unmarried catalysmic event, namely the invasion of the autochthonous inhabitants urged the Kumbu (Akwamu) people to migrate southwards to Heman, as well as was soundless wending their way through war-ridden territories till they arrived at the coast where they laid upward their initiatory of all working capital missive of the alphabet at Nyanawase. Shortly afterwards the Nzi-mba nether their non bad leader called Annor Asaman, moved unobtrusively inwards a southward – western direction, afterwards settling on the westward coast inwards monastic tell to avoid beingness caught inwards crossfire.

                          Proud Nzema, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Freedom fighter as well as Ghana`s initiatory of all president 

For a fourth dimension in that place was a struggle with the people of Krinjaho as well as others inwards Cote d’Ivoire over the terra firma lying betwixt the Tano lagoon as well as the sea, an expanse which the Nzema had since effectively occupied for the past times years. Upon their arrival on the westward coast at Ahumazo nigh the Tano Lagoon, in that place were many shaded trees, so they moved to a identify where they found a tall palm tree which didn’t behave fruits, as well as decided to settle in that place permanently. The novel site was accordingly named BEYIN, important “tall Palm-tree”.

Certainly, the tribal history is dominated past times i human being who rose to an eminent spot from the debris of internecine wars inwards the far due north as well as finally settled his people at BEYIN. This human being was Annor Asaman.

The initiatory of all formative menses of Nzema history actually ended inwards his life-time. By as well as then all the of import settlements had been established. Annor Blay Acka powerfulness receive got succeeded the gallant leader, as well as reigned longer than his predecessor. When he died his brother, Annor Broma I succeeded him. He inwards plough was succeeded past times Bua Panin who became a powerful paramount chief. The following someone to dominion was Amihere Panin inwards whose reign the Fort Beyin was built inwards 1691 past times the Royal African Company at the invitation of the Nzema people. (King Charles II as well as James, Duke of York were members of the Company, successor to the defunct Company of Royal Adventures of England Training to Africa which promised to transportation 3,000 slaves a twelvemonth to America)

Before Amihere Panin ascended the Stool, he was cultivating on a terra firma where Atuani trees grew. His predecessor permitted him to build a novel settlement at the site, as well as the identify was named ATUABO (“Atuani” is plural). He lived at ATUABO with his followers. After his death, his nephew, Birimponi Kwesi was enstooled (Birimponi: agency paramount main inwards Nzema). The elevation evidently increased Beyin’s bitterness as well as made them to a greater extent than incensed against Atuabo Tradition farther asserts that the Nzema welcomed some refugees from Asante led past times Ahii Nobia. After swearing the Oath of Allegiance to Birimponi Kwesi they were settled at Abata. Through inter-marriage, it came to calorie-free that Abini Nobia practiced human sacrifice secretly.
Abini Nobia was ejected forcibly together with his followers as well as they escaped to Mowaso nigh Grand Basa – a settlement on St John River inwards Liberia.

                             Samia Yaba NkrumahBeautiful Nzema political leader as well as fille of Ghana`s
                              initiatory of all president Kwame Nkrumah.

Successive Paramount Chiefs were Azu Ekyi (1700-1741), Annor  Breman II (1746-1789), Mensah Ohie (1789-1820). Kamma Panin was followed past times his nephew Kweku Acka who preferred to remain at Atuabo where he had been nurtured past times a respectable someone on a farm land. It was shortly detected that King Dweku Acka had tyrannical traits as well as perverted tasted for blood, as well as thus chose to remain at Atuabo inwards monastic tell to evade surveillance at Fort Beyin.

He himself visited the Fort inwards 1828, as well as was really pop with the youth who nicknamed him “Ngutan” to which he responded “Omiamenia-ba”.

In 1835, a British human being – of – state of war was dispatched to punish King Kweku Acka as well as his subjects for practicing human sacrifices. He remained serenity for some fourth dimension when Captain Maclean was appointed Judicial Assessor 1843 – 1847. He as well as then resumed the executions as well as acquired a pervasive influence throughout the westward coast.

                                    Colonial Castle inwards Axim

The novel Governor, Commander Hill, appointed inwards 1843, threatened to punish him exemplarily for this activity of brutality. But with sheer impudence, Kweku Acka sent a message to the Governor saying “he would raze Cape Coast Castle to the Earth as well as dine off the Governor’s liver!. There powerfulness live some exaggeration inwards this, but the Governor became enraged as well as directly laid upward a chore forcefulness against the recalcitrant king. He was captured as well as imprisoned at the Castle of life where he died on Dec 28, 1851. The governor’s prompt activity ultimately restored peace as well as tranquility inwards the sub-region.

In appreciation of his services, the Governor made Benjin who had been instrumental inwards capturing Kweku Acka, a main of Atuabo every bit a sub-chief for the purpose of settling disputes. Kweke Acka’s successor, Amakye, had his spot at Beyin every bit the overall caput of Nzema. The Atuabo were resentful of this novel dispensation since their chiefship had been subordinated to that of Beyin.

In nearly 1867, past times a convention betwixt the British as well as the Dutch merchants, Nzema became subjects to Dutch interim administration. As a result, Atuabo inwards Eastern Nzema decided to intermission away from the Dutch who sent messengers to ascertain the truth of this motion from the Elders Atuabo. Unfortunately, the messengers were murdered. Immediately a Dutch gun boat went as well as destroyed Aturabo.

Soon afterwards, Avu of Atuabo hastened to Wassa where he managed to solicit the assist of some men who accompanied him to acquire by Amakye at Beyim when Amakye learnt of Avu’s advance, he also sought assist from the Asante who had supported the Dutch move.

THE R S BLAY FAMILY (Blay was the initiatory of all Nzema lawyer as well as Nationalist): From left to right, Kwame Blay,Jasper Tamakloe,Mrs Dinah Blay,Rev Afo Blay ( the initiatory of all adult woman GES boss as well as methodist reverend) standing behind her mum,R S BLAY as well as Professor Mokowa Blay Adu-gyamfi (standing contrary her dad).This painting demo was taken inwards May 1957. 

Then nether the command of Pani Yanna Acka of Naba, the Western Nzema Earth forces marched on, as well as defeated the Eastern Nzema, killing Avu inwards the process. Benyin, therefore, gained consummate success inwards the Avu War, inwards 1869. His expiry gave ascension to a to a greater extent than severe as well as universal moving ridge of persecution of opponents as well as forced many people to flee into exile to relieve their lives.

In monastic tell to hold peace as well as tranquility inwards the sub-region, Nzema was split into ii separate states nether different paramount cites. Beyin became the working capital missive of the alphabet of Western Nzema Traditional Area, piece Atuabo remained the working capital missive of the alphabet of Eastern Nzema.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIlE0MmRJIc

Freddy Meiway,iconic Nzema (Apollonian) pop vocalizer from Cote d'Ivoire on phase performing his 
  "Miss lolo" rail that pays glowing tribute to women with well-endowed breast

  Here is a to a greater extent than recent one, celebrating women backside

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGvImhqlg5A

The people of the ii states who originated from i mutual stock entered a menses of rehabilitation as well as reform, as well as receive got since shown remarkable stability as well as persistence centuries later. On the 29th October, 1969, a century after the Avu War, Count Vinigi Grottaneli, Professor of Ethnology inwards the University of Rome, Italy, gave a lecture on RESEARCH ON NZEMA TRADITIONAL CULTURE, nether the distinguished chairmanship of Prof. J. H Kketia every bit purpose of Museum Lectures"–(http://www.ghanaculture.gov.gh/index1.php?linkid=65&archiveid=1727&page=1&adate=04/12/2010)



                         Nzema stilt hamlet of Nzulezu,Ghana

                 Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah,an Nzema man, The Minister of Energy inwards accuse of Petroleum as well as MP for Ellembelle.

                  Nzema adult woman carrying chieftaincy clan staff

The proud Nzema tribe has also produced famous people inwards both Republic of Ghana as well as Ivory Coast. The initiatory of all African/black to go a professor inwards European higher institution, University of Halle-Wittenberg inwards 1799,Anton Wilhem-Amo, Ghana`s initiatory of all president as well as Pan-Africanist Dr Kwame Nkrumah, nationalist as well as lawyer.

                   Prof Anton Wilhelm Amo 18th Century Renaissance Man

Amo from Nzema proved to the Earth that dark man`s encephalon is non inferior to that of the Caucasian past times achieving intellectual excellency inwards Germany.The respected British historian as well as philosopher, David Hume that:

'I am apt to suspect the negroes as well as inwards general, all the other species 
of men (for in that place are 4 or v different kinds) to live naturally 
inferior to the whites. There never was a civilized land of whatever other 
complexion than white, nor fifty-fifty whatever private eminent either inwards action 
or speculation... Not to advert our colonies, in that place are Negroe slaves 
dispersed all over Europe, of which none e'er discovered whatever symptoms of
 ingenuity; tho' depression people, without education, volition start upward amongst 
us, as well as distinguish themselves inwards every profession.'


But Hume's pronouncement was a blatant lie. For a Ghanaian, Anton Wilhelm Amo, an Nzema (a sub-group of  the Akan people of Ghana) had, fifty-fifty earlier Hume wrote inwards 1753, established himself inwards Deutschland every bit i of the non bad thinkers of his time.

Amo was born inwards Awukena, nigh Axim, inwards 1711. When he was only nearly 4 years old, he was taken to Amsterdam past times the Dutch East Republic of Republic of India Company. There, he was given every bit a nowadays to Anthony Ulrich, Duke of Brunswick- Wolfenbüttel, to whose palace inwards Wolfenbüttel Amo was taken. Treated every bit a fellow member of the Duke's family, he was educated at the University of Halle. He finished his preliminary studies inwards 1729 - a mere ii years, his dissertation being: 'The Rights of Moors inwards Europe'.

Amo as well as then moved to the University of Wittenberg, where he studied logic, metaphysics, physiology, astronomy, history, law, theology, politics, as well as medicine. He also acquired vi languages (English, French, Dutch, Latin, Greek, as well as German). He gained his doctorate inwards philosophy at Wittenberg inwards 1734. His thesis was 'On the Absence of Sensation inwards the Human Mind as well as its Presence inwards our Organic as well as Living Body.' That was a total 21 years earlier David Hume made his ignorant remark quoted above.

Amo achieved more: He returned to Halle every bit a lecturer inwards philosophy as well as was made a Professor inwards 1736. In 1738, he wrote his 2nd major work: 'Treatise on the Art of Philosophising Soberly as well as Accurately'. 
Ironically, the Wikipedia(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Wilhelm_Amo) biography of Amo states that Amo, writing xv years earlier Hume published his racist views, 'developed an empiricist epistemology really unopen to that of philosophers such every bit John Locke as well as David Hume'. So Hume powerfulness good receive got been influenced past times Amo's work, whilst condemning Amo's race!

lconic pop-star Michael jackson with some Nzema kids dressed inwards their traditional attire at Abidjan,Ivory Coast inwards 1992

 The initiatory of all non bad Nzema lawyer R S Blay at  the Graduation Day of Dr Mary Chinery-Hesse as well as Twin Maud inwards 1962. From left to correct are Mrs Maud Blankson-Mills, Late Mrs Dinah Blay, Late Mr Justice R,S, Blay as well as Dr Mary Chinery -Hesse. This painting demo is also courtesy Prof Mokowa Blay Adu-gyamfi.

Nzema kundum festival (Ghana)

The Kundum festival is celebrated past times the Ahanta or Nzema people of the Western part of Ghana. It is celebrated to give thank you lot God for the abundance of nutrient every bit it ushers inwards the harvest menses of the area.

                  Nzema women doing their traditional trip the calorie-free fantastic toe at Kundom Festival

History

The festival is believed to receive got initiatory of all been celebrated inwards the 16th century. The initiatory of all tape of the festival was made past times Bossman, Dutch explorer, who traveled to the Gold Coast inwards the 17th century as well as observed the festival.

                     Kundum Festival parade

Origin

The origin of the festival was passed on through folklore as well as involved a hunter, Akpoley, who during expedition, chanced upon some dwarfs dancing inwards a circle. He observed the trip the calorie-free fantastic toe as well as upon his render to the town introduced it to his people. This dancing eventually developed into a way to drive the devil as well as evil spirits from towns as well as villages. During the festival, the trip the calorie-free fantastic toe is performed ritually past times most inhabitant of Axim as well as surrounding towns.

Festival type

                                       Nzema chiefs 

Kundum is both a harvest as well as religious festival. The start of the festival is based on the hateful solar daytime the fruit of a certainly palm tree became ripe.

The celebration

             Procession of chiefs through the principal streets of Axim during the Kundum festival

Originally, the festival lasted for 4 weeks but due to modernity, it has inwards recent years been reduced to 8 days. The festivals occur separately inwards each town that brand upward the Ahanta paramountcy with town scheduling the sun inwards which their festival volition start independent of each other. The celebration consists of 3 main components:

    dancing

    drumming

    feast

                      Nzema woman,Samia Yaba nkrumah enjoying her meal

Festival attire

      Nzema main on palanquin beingness carried to the festival grounds during Kundum festival at Axim,Ghana

The people who partake inwards the celebration article of apparel distinctive dress, footwear, as well as sometimes masks. The festival begins past times taking the drums to the v different shrines on outskirts of town. At the shrines, requests for the expert of the town are made as well as rum is poured on the Earth every bit libation.

                                         Nzema adult woman inwards typical traditional Kundum "devil Riddance"
                                         attire as well as belongings stick whiles doing the waist shaking Kundum dance

Programme of activities

In the traditional 4 calendar week celebration the drummers volition pass the following 3 weeks inwards the outskirts practicing as well as preparing for the quaternary week. No drumming or dancing is done on the Mon of the quaternary as well as concluding week. The ritual Kundum sack is lit at the chief’s palace as well as is kept burning throughout the festivities. 

                          Canoe Regatta at Kundum festival inwards Axim,Ghana

The sack serves every bit a middle of activity as well as estrus source for preparing the main festival meal. On Tuesday, sacrifices of fowl or sheep are offered inwards the stool room. The stool room is a sacred palace where the stool of departed chiefs as well as elders are kept. All of the sacrifices inwards the stool room are performed privately past times a small-scale designated group.

 

 Finally a populace sacrifice of a fowl is performed inwards the courtroom yard. Singing begins on Tuesday as well as on Wednesday, the main joins festivities. He enters on a palanquin accompanied past times a parade of people singing as well as drumming. Each nighttime in that place is a large repast which culminates inwards a non bad feast of the concluding Sunday. All the nutrient is collectively prepared using the Kundum sack past times the women as well as directed past times the elderberry women. 

                                  Chief at Kundum Festival, Beyin

The residue of the calendar week is spent performing the ritualized Kundum dancing. There are dances performed past times men as well as others past times women as well as some past times other unclassified people. The dancing concludes inwards front end of the castle inwards Axim. The traditional purpose of the dancing is to drive the evil spirits as well as devils from the town as well as thus preserving some other successful year.

      Nzema ladies dancing at the Kundum festival celebrations

Ivory Coast Nzema peoples Abissa festival

NZIMA people's NEW YEAR
"ABISSA" agency "the Question"
Correpsonds to the ii finally weeks of the AKAN calendar
End of October
Long procedure of  rituals
Absolution from "NYAMIE" for the misdeeds for ending  twelvemonth as well as approving for the upcoming one.

During the Abissa, most of  the human activities stand upward by. No work, no wedding, no funerals, no baptism..

                                Abissa, Drum as well as Dance festival inwards Grand Bassam

The xiv days are fully dedicated to communicate with the ancestors, the community's advocates  to NYAMIE,AKAN call of GOD....

Every individuals has to repent publicly after the community may receive got pointed out his misdeeds for the elapsed year.

     Nzema human being from Grand-Bassam,Ivory Coast with his confront painted at Abissa Festival

This accusation-repentance ritual is a highlight of the ABISSA where people disguised into their relatives as well as mimic their flaws as well as vanities.

This masquerade that turns the streets of BASSAM into a giant costume ball  stage,is undoubtedly the ancestor of the Carnivals celebrated past times our cousins from the Caribbeans or from New Orleans.

Abissa is a cultural concept embracing the music, dance, as well as spiritual life of the Nzema people inwards the town of Grand-Bassam, Côte d'Ivoire. The best-known facial expression of Abissa is a festival celebrated the finally calendar week of October/ 1st calendar week of November. It is a fourth dimension of forgiveness as well as rebirth marked past times a week-long celebration.

For those who receive got spent fourth dimension inwards Louisiana, Brazil, or whatever i of the many nations that contain the Caribbean, Grand Bassam’s Abissa celebrations would experience familiar –yet different as well as to a greater extent than authentic.  As nosotros all know, the festival known every bit “Carnival” to a greater extent than or less the Earth has its roots inwards Africa.  So, it shouldn’t come upward every bit a surprise that Grand Bassam’s week-long Abissa festival bears a striking resemblance to global Carnival celebrations.

The parallels betwixt Carnival as well as Abissa are profound as well as ought non live reduced to dancing inwards the streets, wearing costumes, as well as letting loose.  As with other Carnival celebrations across the globe, Abissa is the i fourth dimension inwards the twelvemonth when profound political as well as personal truths are aired inwards public.  Due to customary restraints on communication betwixt diverse segments of N’zima society, some of these truths may live veiled inwards the double entendre nosotros all know as well as honey inwards West Indian calypso music.  However, these brazen statements –whether political or personal– are understood as well as tolerated past times all because of Abissa.

                    Nzema people dancing at Abissa festival

Abissa is the pre-eminent festival inwards the N’zima calendar.  It is a fourth dimension of savage honesty, renewal as well as forgiveness.  It is a celebration of the ancient N’zima culture, history, royalty, as well as religion.  It is also a fourth dimension when the entire community comes together as well as lets loose, releasing the proverbial steam from the pressure level cooker of life as well as politics inwards the modern age.

 The Nzema princesses are joined past times girls their historic menses to trip the calorie-free fantastic toe earlier their King during Abissa festival

The week-long Abissa festival is powered past times drummers, whose infectious beats drive its many dances as well as rituals.  During Abissa, the crunch of the cosmic drum releases the N’zima from their customary restraints as well as allows them to verbalize candidly to their leaders as well as to i another. 

Nzema tribe Men of Grand Bassam,Ivory Coast concord the stick symbolizing their equality as well as correct to speak. They welcome the King, give thank you lot him for what he has done the year, telephone phone him to chore for shortcomings as well as tell him what they would similar him to do for the coming year.

 Airing truths during Abissa allows the truth-tellers to forgive as well as those who receive got strayed from the proper path to live forgiven.  It is a fourth dimension of collective catharsis that leads to renewal as well as a spiritual re-birth of the entire community.

Abissa is magical as well as has to live experienced to live fully appreciated. 

           Dancers decked out inwards their finery,perform frenzied trip the calorie-free fantastic toe every bit the manlike someone monarch of Grand Bassam looks on.

The procession of the vii families founders of the NZIMA kingdom,

  Nzema Royalty move travel from Republic of Ghana to Cote d'Ivoire to celebrate Abissa festival with the King of Grand Bassam


         Priestesses dressed inwards white as well as beautified with clay for the Abissa festival

Ritual trip the calorie-free fantastic toe of the NKOMYAN (priestesses), the MPAE ritual (libation),the AHENFIE (Royal court) procession as well as the populace appearance of the King of the NZIMA KOTOKO  are amid the highlights of the ABISSA.But the most of import lawsuit is the appearance, the finally hateful solar daytime of the Abissa at 5am, of  EDO GBOLE, the Great Talking Drum,bearer of the Soul of NZIMA people.

  An Nzema Chief of Grand Bassam,Ivory Coast inwards his total traditional Chieftaincy regalia sitting his stool

And i time he appears EDO GBOLE replies to the "ABISSA", the "Question",  which is:

"Do the NZima people deserve to come inwards the NEW YEAR? If Edo Gbole answers YES, Bassam becomes Estatic. Typical Ivorian Barbecues, Beer, Concerts, Beach Bashes, this is some other aspect of the ABISSA.

                Nzema human being from Grand Bassam,Ivory Coast with a painted confront as well as sea-shell necklace

The WOODY (Warrior), celebrating Male Physique beauty.

 Nzema Men dressed every bit women inwards sexy traditional outfit at Abissa festival inwards Grand Bassam,Ivory Coast

West African Coast inwards the 15th century baptized  APPOLO?

 

Women with Lantern on Head 

 

Truly Sexy Girl Dancing at Abissa 

 

Abissa Fête Femme Sexy Cote d'Ivoire Africa 

 

Fête Abissa Tom Tom Cote d'Ivoire Africa 

 

Abissa Drums Cote d'Ivoire Africa 

 

Abissa Festival Parade with Drums inwards Grand Bassam Cote d'Ivoire West Africa

source:http://globalgrazers.wordpress.com/2012/11/04/grand-bassams-abissa-celebration-carnival-at-the-source-in-cote-divoire/#
            http://www.grandbassam.net/   

Nzema`s famous Nzelezu stilt hamlet (Village on a River)

              On the way to Nzema Beyin`s Nzulezu stilt village

This is i of the to a greater extent than unique tourist sites inwards Ghana; amid its peers of castles, as well as eco-villages. If you lot receive got never been to Republic of Ghana this spectacular as well as unique scenery hamlet should brand you lot gird upward your loins as well as pack straight-off to Ghana. Nzulezu hamlet on the H2O is a identify to be.

Nzulezu stilt village,Ghana

Nzuelzu is an Nzema give-and-take important "surface of river" is a small-scale village, started over 600 years agone as well as situated inwards the middle of Lake Amansuri. It is supported alone past times stilts made of cardinal wood with a raffia walkway. To acquire to as well as from Nzulezu you lot must move via canoe from a small-scale dock inwards the hamlet of Beyin, i threescore minutes away. The population of Nzulezu is roughly 500 men, women as well as children, governed past times a hamlet main as well as a handful of hamlet elders. 

                  Tourists beingness canoed to Nzulezu Village

The inhabitants of the hamlet are said to receive got migrated from Walata, a metropolis inwards ancient Republic of Ghana Empire' the earliest of the Western Sudanese States. According to tradition, ancestors of the hamlet were brought to their nowadays identify nether the guide of a snail/turtle." It is alleged that they had been chased from their terra firma past times outsiders, as well as amid the jeopardy were atomic number 82 to this condom spot past times a turtle – which is now, for this reason, their sacred animal."

The serene ambience of the surrounding landscape coupled with the full general activities of life dot to a dynamic human relationship betwixt human being as well as nature. 

                         Nzulezu Nzema people inwards their stilt village

Traditional hamlet life is adapted to the watery weather to the amazement of the visitor. All activities pertaining to normal life chores such every bit pounding of fufu (a traditional meal) schooling, worship as well as burial are done on the lake. New born babies are baptized inwards the lake. The lake it is said, averts possible disasters similar outbreak of fire, killing of natives of the hamlet on or to a greater extent than or less it.

 The sacred hateful solar daytime of the lake is Thursday, a hateful solar daytime laid aside on which no activity is supposed to receive got identify signifying a strict adherence to traditional norms as well as taboos. Nzulezu stilt settlement is a unique lacustrine habitation achieved past times a harmony of forces of nature to come across man's needs resulting inwards a settlement of outstanding value.

 Nzema tribe women from Nzulezu stilt hamlet render to their hamlet on canoe

The hamlet has streets as well as avenues made out of raffia fronds, as well as raffia poles protrude from side past times side houses into alleys floored past times water. These protruding poles back upward small-scale children every bit they lean downward with lines, inwards hope of a bite.

The interior of houses are exposed behind tattered lace curtains as well as cloth, revealing a simplicity of existence that seems to live echoed inwards the drops of H2O as well as distant croaks as well as caws emanating from the forest. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 shrine is visible nearly 50 feet from the village, perforating the reflective drinking glass surface that stretches out inwards front. Only the main is permitted to see this shrine, where he gives offerings as well as listens to the premonitions of the elders as well as turtle god. This animist faith is interwoven with Christianity here, which tin live seen from the small-scale church building decorated with flags as well as filled with plastic lawn chairs.

Although they alive on water, their main source of income is agriculture. They ain some terra firma 1 km due north of the lake where they grow a diversity of vegetables as well as fruit which they sell inwards Beyin as well as the surrounding areas. There is also piddling exposure to the exterior Earth with no tv as well as hapless radio reception. Also, they to a greater extent than frequently than non do non similar the tourists who see their hamlet as well as engaged inwards an acts probable to intrude into their privacy. 

It appears most aspects of daily life hither portion the same regularity as well as contents every bit life on land. However, the closeness these people receive got to nature inwards virtue of their locality grant this regularity an additional pulse, embedded inwards the beat of nature. The hamlet has at nowadays go dependent on its status every bit a tourist attraction, which is made glaringly perceptible past times the brilliant orangish life-jackets that infiltrate this tiny hamlet daily, taking photos, pointing, as well as playing with children.

With the construction of a school, a novel church building as well as a medical facility this tourism has been really expert for the village. However, every bit the foreigner walks through these few streets, it is clear how the inhabitants essay their hardest to blot out these tourists from their vision, as well as out from their home.

As i leaves you lot experience every bit if you lot are leaving a dream, a identify whose purity is preserved past times the natural rhythms of life, as well as i wonders how the continued expeditions of foreigners into this dream volition consequence it’s longevity. At initiatory of all i feels that these intrusions into such a pure natural identify are the production of something unnatural: foreigners yielding digital cameras, wobbling heels, manus sanitizer, mobile phones, as well as airplane tickets.

                       Nzulezu schoolhouse girls returning from schoolhouse inwards a neigbhoring village 

Yet based on the demand these people receive got for basic necessities such every bit education, healthcare, as well as the possibility for something greater, i realizes that maybe these intrusions are non so unnatural after all. Maybe, rather, they are purpose of a greater narrative; i that is almost to a greater extent than natural as well as to a greater extent than existent than whatever elbow grease to save this village’s purity as well as isolation from the external world, as well as exactly maybe, this narrative is time.

NZULEZU - THE STILT VILLAGE An amazing hamlet where life goes on inwards the centre of lake Tadane, exactly xc km westward of Takoradi. The houses are built on stilts, as well as traditional hamlet life adapts to the watery conditions. The excursion from Beyin involves a walk through the reeds at the lake’s edge, as well as a trip inwards a dugout canoe to the village. The hamlet welcomes visitors everyday except Thursday, which is a sacred day.

Quite only the journeying inwards the canoe is worth the trip. It leads away past times small-scale canals with crystal-clear water, which are overgrown past times H2O lilies. Later the thick mangrove-wood which makes a donation pleasantly shade grows rampant over the heads. After approx. 45 minutes i comes to the small-scale as well as large lakes whose sight is but fantastic. The hamlet itself accommodates betwixt 400 as well as 500 people. There are 3 classrooms, an inn, a bar as well as a small-scale store where the locals tin buy the most necessary things. Otherwise all products must live got from the following town past times canoe - a hateful solar daytime trip.

Life in Nzulezu

October 17, 2009 by mariemcc

I noticed some fires as well as wondered how the women were able to create as well as non burn downward the whole identify down. We followed the smoke, as well as a adult woman allowed me to photograph her kitchen.

The cooking expanse is lined with clay.  Cook fires tin as well as then live built without the construction catching fire.

An added do goodness is that these adobe structures are really efficient. Because the adobe semi encloses the fire, it transfers estrus to the pot ameliorate as well as takes less wood to create the nutrient than cooking over an opened upward flame without it.

                                                      Homestay Guest House at Nzulezu

The debate inwards the H2O is a fish trap. Just behind it you lot tin consider the type of ladder nosotros climbed upward to the walkways from the canoe.

Another type of fish trap. The chairs inwards the background looked intriguing, so I went for a closer look.

The chairs were also made of raffia. Beautiful! If only I could acquire i of these things home!

 Samia Nkrumah on her way to Nzulezu, her homeland

Ghana became African’s initiatory of all province to gain freedom in 1957 as well as has since grown tremendously both politicallyand economically. Kwame Nkrumah is known every bit the country’s founding manlike someone parent as well as AFRICA JOURNAL met his fille Samia Nkrumah inwards their following story — who is determined to follow inwards her fathers footsteps

Some Photos of Nzema people

             The famous Nzema Highlife star F Kenya

Samia Nkrumah fille of Ghana`s initiatory of all president,Dr Kwame Nkrumah waves to supporters upon arriving at Elubo, Ghana. Nkrumah is campaigning for a parliamentary spot inwards the expanse where her manlike someone parent was born, as well as manypeople in that place soundless consider him a national hero.


                                    Abissa dance

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