Subscribe to hear the latest episode of Global Treasures, which covers the Asante Traditional Buildings in Ghana. Abigail covers the history and travel tips for visiting this UNESCO world heritage site, added to the list in 1980.
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Episode Transcript
Imagine a place that tells a story spanning centuries where
culture and nature intertwine tocreate something truly extraordinary.
That's the beauty of UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites.
I'm Abigail, and this is GlobalTreasures, the podcast that covers
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the history, travel tips, andlegends surrounding one of the 1,248
world heritage sites each episode.
These places have been identifiedas having universal cultural or
natural significance that is soexceptional that it transcends national
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boundaries and is of importanceto present and future generations.
Welcome to season three, wherewe'll explore the 27 sites that
UNESCO added in 1980 together.
Thank you for listeningto Global Treasures.
(01:07):
I appreciate all of your support andyou can continue to support the podcast
by subscribing at Apple Podcasts,Spotify, Podbean, or any major platform.
You can also follow GlobalTreasures on TikTok, Facebook, and
globaltreasurestravel.com, where I havemy blog outlining my travels and world
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heritage site related information.
You can sign up to get email alertswhen a new blog post drops, and all
of this is linked in the show notes.
The Asante traditional buildings are aUNESCO World Heritage Site that serves
as the last remaining architecturaltestament to the powerful and very
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wealthy Ashanti Empire, also known asthe Asante Empire, which flourished
for two centuries in what is now Ghana.
Ghana is a country in West Africa,bordered by Togo to the east
and Burkina Faso to the north.
Located near the city of Kumasi,this collection of 10 buildings
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survived the period of Britishoccupation that ultimately led
to the Asante Empire's fall.
During their height in the 18thand 19th centuries, these buildings
served as shrines and were believedto hold supernatural power.
While the empire held extensivemilitary and financial wealth, they
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notably also had incredibly skilledartisans who had an eye for design.
This was a culture with multiplelayers within their social hierarchy.
While we may not consciously thinkabout it, architecture helps construct,
maintain and symbolize status and ispart of what makes a culture rich.
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Constructed from timber, bamboo,and mud plaster, the buildings were
arranged in a unique style with fourrooms facing a central courtyard.
Three of these rooms were designatedfor rituals while the fourth
housed a shrine itself where peoplewould consult deities for advice
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reflecting a rich spiritual heritage.
The traditional thatched roofshave been replaced by metal roofs
to keep them intact over time.
The striking beauty of these buildingsis evident in their walls, which are
covered in intricate sculptural reliefs.
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These walls display patterns thatlooks something like a weaving
labyrinth, as well as visuals ofanimals, plants, and adinkra symbols.
These are unique motifs passeddown through Asante culture that
represent themes such as peace.
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I cannot emphasize enough.
The sheer skill and labor required tocreate these reliefs are truly a testament
to the empire's architectural prowess.
While many structures are unfortunatelynow incomplete, we can still admire
the unique configuration of thesebuildings, which are honored and
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maintained because they're still usedfor important initiatives to this day.
They serve as a means for the Asantepeople to stay connected to their
ancestors and their spirituality.
These buildings help preserve aheritage that was nearly lost when
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other significant structures likethe Royal Mausoleum were destroyed by
individuals such as Robert Baden Powell.
He was a lieutenant with the BritishRoyal Army, who ironically would go on
to found the Boy Scouts Association,which is known for positively
impacting their local communities.
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While much of the Asante Empire'slegacy was destroyed, this small
grouping of just 10 mighty buildingshas endured these buildings are now
the last material evidence of the oncemighty empire proudly serving as a
link between the past and the present.
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Now that I've briefly covered the history,I'll review some tips and what to expect
if you're planning on traveling tosee the Asante traditional buildings.
In order to travel to Ghana, dependingon your country of origin at the time of
this recording, you must apply through theofficial website of the Ghana Immigration
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Service or the Ghana High Commissionin your country to get a travel visa.
This process requires you completethe online application form and
provide supporting documents.
This might be a valid passport and Makesure it has at least six months validity.
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Proof of accommodation, a flightitinerary, proof you received a
yellow fever, vaccination, andpotentially other documents as well.
You'll want to fly intoPrempe International Airport.
Know that unless you are coming fromanother country on the African continent,
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this will likely be a long flight.
I was recently asked what I doto help myself sleep on long
flights such as these, and ifI have any tips or suggestions.
Honestly, I am not the best to answerthat because I can't always sleep
on airplanes, but following my usualbedtime routine is my best answer.
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I do my normal thingssuch as brushing my teeth.
I try not to use screens beforetrying to get some shuteye as well.
Easier said than done.
I know when packing, keep in mindthat there are periods of heavy
rainfall and lots of humidity,so having a raincoat may be wise.
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In terms of places to stay, there are lotsof hotel and affordable home stay options.
Different ride share companies operatein Ghana as well if you need to get
around and aren't renting a car.
But of course you can alwaysask staff at your hotel or tour
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guide for taxi recommendations.
Again, this site is located near Kumasiand this area receives almost half
of all tourists who come to Ghana.
Again, I would also emphasize thesebuildings are the last surviving examples
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of traditional Ashanti architecture.
They're not just historicalrelics, but active spaces that
still serve the community.
Because of this, only one of the buildingsis open to the public, and tickets
cannot be purchased online in advance.
But if you book a tour, the experiencestend to be reasonably priced and they
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visit multiple sites in the area,such as other museums or markets.
With a guided tour, they likely willarrange transportation, help you navigate
the more limited visiting hours, andoffer deep insights into the spiritual
and cultural significance of the site.
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Visitors are welcome to take photos of thebuilding that is open to the public, but
be respectful of the spaces still in use.
That's essential.
For a truly unique experience,try to plan your visit during the
Akwaesidae Festival, which takesplace every six weeks on a Sunday.
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This colorful festival isa vibrant celebration meant
to honor ancestors and gods.
You can expect to see drumming,dancing and singing that echoes
centuries of tradition along withofferings of food such as African yams.
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The king himself often attends to payhomage, giving visitors a rare opportunity
to see Ashanti Royal tradition up close.
It's truly a bird's eye viewinto the living heritage
of these incredible people.
And if you are intrigued bymyths and mysteries, the Ashanti
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region does not disappoint.
This was actually one alistener told me to look into.
Local folklore tells of the Tano Giant,a massive white ape-like creature said to
inhabit the forests near the Tano River.
While some dismiss it as purelegend, other claim sightings of
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this mysterious being over the years.
The story just adds another layer ofmystique and fuels curiosity about
what other secrets may be hiding.
And of course I'd be remiss ifI didn't talk about the food.
After exploring, take the timeto enjoy the local food scene.
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Numerous restaurants serve Jollof rice,one of West Africa's most beloved dishes.
It's typically Basmati rice stewedwith tomatoes, onions, and spices
that create a subtle smokiness.
It's the perfect way to end a daysteeped in culture history, and
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maybe even a touch of the paranormal.
These striking, intricatelydecorated buildings are the last
remaining testimony of this empireand its unique architecture.
These buildings aren't just places,but a reflection of their beliefs,
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customs, and social institutions,which are still ingrained in
Ghana's very being to this day.
This enduring spiritual and culturalsignificance is a testament to the
resilience of the Asante peopleand their determination to honor
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their ancestors and heritage.
Thank you for listening tothe Global Treasures Podcast.
Please join me next time where I will diveinto yet another new UNESCO World Heritage
site worth adding to your bucket list.
Until then, keep exploring, keepwondering, and keep treasuring
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the remarkable diversityof our world's heritage.
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