By Samuel Abuya
Ever heard of a floating village? Well, if not, let’s take you on a trip to Ghana, without you leaving the comfort of your couch.
A visit to Jomoro district, western Ghana, welcomes one to Nzulezo, a village which is not just like any village. It is not only unique but also known for its ancient traditions which its people are trying to hold on dearly in this modern world, a modernization which has eroded many traditions across Africa.
Typically, houses built from raffia palm tree branches and stilt structures built over water are scenes that welcome one to Nzulezo village, a name that was derived from the native language of its inhabitants, the Nzema, meaning “surface of water”.
Nzulezo, which is built over Lake Tandane, is some 300 Km from Ghana’s capital, Accra, and is home to more than 500 people. Their lives are, basically, “above the waters”. It is believed that Nzulezo’s first inhabitants moved into this village in the 15th century from Mali following wars between them and the Mande of West Africa over gold and fertile land.
Means of transport in the tourist hub
Every family in the Nzulezo village has at least three boats for transport purposes. The village has also become so attracting to tourists who flock it to marvel at its beauty and its people. The father of every family unit has his own boat, another one is for the mother and the third is left for the children.
According to sources in the village, every family has its own street which is named after the head of that particular family.
A local tour guide who spoke to CNN, said: “Tourism here started 20 years ago. Most people travel out of different towns in Ghana, some of them come and taste the alcohol here. They feel it is far different and tastes good compared to other places.”
The floating village, which is tentatively listed on the sites set to be among the world’s cultural heritage sites, is also known for its monkeys, crocodiles and a rare species of turtles.
However, residents of this floating village in Ghana have to travel by boat for about 5Km to access a doctor and are now making a case before local authorities to have a health facility built in this village.
Another challenge that locals here are contending with is the small number of teachers because it a bit hard, according to sources, to recruit teachers in this floating village because teachers are not given allowances for working in such conditions.
Modern world Vs ancient traditions
In spite of the infiltration of modernization in Nzulezo, people here have kept their traditions, such as mode of living. They are, however, trying to take a few of modern way of life and merging it with their old ways of life. For instance, they have embraced the use of electricity instead of kerosene and lanterns.
The 24-hour healthcare facility that they are pushing for will also go a long way in helping them ‘move with the rest parts of the world’.
“Our life here is very comfortable for us. We cook here, we enjoy ourselves, we entertain ourselves, the children also. What is done on land is certainly done here too. We prefer to stay,” one resident of the floating village said.
Not long ago, Ghana made headlines when the West African country announced that it is set to become the first in Africa to construct the first ever renewable energy industrial park.
Africa Global News Publication
