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30.11.2011 Travel & Tourism

Visit Ghana: On top of the river - Nzulezu

30.11.2011 LISTEN
By Myjoyonline.com | Benedicta Anane

The largest collection of former European trading forts in West Africa, Ghana can be found in the Western Region.

The region is located in the south western part of the country.

It has an African touch, intricate beautiful beach resorts, mines, and the highest tropical jungles, striking villages, effervescent festivals and gracious people.

The region's water villages including 'Nzulezu', meaning, 'on top of the river' is amusing and amazing to experience. A visitor in the region can chatter a local canoe out to Nzulezu village and spend the night in the village's guest house or better still attend a disco club on the river.

It is hard to believe that the about 400 populated village is located in the middle and on top of a river. The river with its dark colour serves all domestic purpose for the residents in the village.

The residents are from the Akan stock and speak different dialects.

They are mostly traditional but have pockets of Christians in the village. Needless to say, Nzulezu has a church where faithfuls converge every Sunday to pray to the Almighty.

Standing in the middle of the water, Nzulezu is only accessible by canoe, its inhabitants are mainly farmers and fishermen, and the village is filled with nothing but peace and joy as residents live simple and hospitable lifestyle.

Led by their gods in about 600 years ago, occupants of the stilt village said they had no other place to live than Nzulezu as directed by their gods, but others say it is a myth.

Though the village has no modern health centre, it has an herbalist who solves both physical and spiritual needs of the people. For instance, when a pregnant woman is in labour, she is taken to the herbalist for delivery, but if there are complications, the pregnant woman is transferred by a canoe which takes about one and half hours to the nearest health centre in the near-by town for safe delivery.

Nevertheless, Nzulezu village which is surrounded by forest also has a church, school, football park, and a market.


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