Nzulezo - Built entirely on stilts and platforms over water. Close: The Ankasa Protected Area, Western Region of Ghana
Nzulezo and the lagoon was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on January 17th, 2000, in the Cultural category Western Region of Ghana - NZULEZO is located near the town of Beyin, roughly 90 kilometers west of Takoradi, in the Jomoro District of the Western Region of Ghana. Built over Lake Tadane, the settlement of Nzulezo |
(meaning "surface of water") consists of stilt-supported structures integrated seamlessly with the water-dominated natural landscape.
Etymology
The village's name "Nzulezo" in Nzema language, means "surface water". According to local legend, the village was built by a group of people from Oualata, a city of the ancient Ghana Empire and in present day Mauritania, which came about from following a snail.
Etymology
The village's name "Nzulezo" in Nzema language, means "surface water". According to local legend, the village was built by a group of people from Oualata, a city of the ancient Ghana Empire and in present day Mauritania, which came about from following a snail.
Nzulezo is located near the village of Beyin, roughly 90 kilometers west of Takoradi, in the Jomoro District of the Western Region of Ghana.
Nzulezo overlooks the Lake Tadane, and is entirely made up of stilts and platforms. In 2000, it was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is a one of the major tourist attraction in the area.
Close by located is the village of Nkroful, bith place of Kwame Nkrumah. Ghana`s first president. There are also some slave castles nearby. The village's name "Nzulezo" in Nzema language, means "surface water". According to local legend, the village was built by a group of people from Oualata, a city of the ancient Ghana Empire and in present day Mauritania, which came about from following a snail.
Nzulezo was built over Lake Tadane, the settlement of Nzulezo consists of stilt-supported structures integrated seamlessly with the water-dominated natural landscape.
The village was nominated to become a World Heritage Site for its importance in anthropology: in addition to being one of the few ancient settlements on stilts and platforms left in the world, there is a preserved wealth of local traditions connected with the cult of the lake. Lake Tadane occurs on the banks of all religious rites, and Thursday, is a day sacred to the lake, and it is forbidden to use and work on the lake for any activity throughout the day of Thursday.
Visitors / Tourists have to pay a fee, for the guided canoe tour, which has to be paid upfront.
Tourism - In recent times the village has been opened to tourism. (4 to 5 day`s per Week). The village can be reached only by a canoe; the route, which crosses large wetlands included an alike rain forest, takes about an hour to 5 km away. The village has an church and a smal school, for children up to 10 years old. The village is extremely isolated, Nzulezo suffers from numerous health problems, including the spread of malaria.
The village offers some basic low cost accommodation, for visitors, who like to stay over night or for a few days.
Nzulezo overlooks the Lake Tadane, and is entirely made up of stilts and platforms. In 2000, it was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is a one of the major tourist attraction in the area.
Close by located is the village of Nkroful, bith place of Kwame Nkrumah. Ghana`s first president. There are also some slave castles nearby. The village's name "Nzulezo" in Nzema language, means "surface water". According to local legend, the village was built by a group of people from Oualata, a city of the ancient Ghana Empire and in present day Mauritania, which came about from following a snail.
Nzulezo was built over Lake Tadane, the settlement of Nzulezo consists of stilt-supported structures integrated seamlessly with the water-dominated natural landscape.
The village was nominated to become a World Heritage Site for its importance in anthropology: in addition to being one of the few ancient settlements on stilts and platforms left in the world, there is a preserved wealth of local traditions connected with the cult of the lake. Lake Tadane occurs on the banks of all religious rites, and Thursday, is a day sacred to the lake, and it is forbidden to use and work on the lake for any activity throughout the day of Thursday.
Visitors / Tourists have to pay a fee, for the guided canoe tour, which has to be paid upfront.
Tourism - In recent times the village has been opened to tourism. (4 to 5 day`s per Week). The village can be reached only by a canoe; the route, which crosses large wetlands included an alike rain forest, takes about an hour to 5 km away. The village has an church and a smal school, for children up to 10 years old. The village is extremely isolated, Nzulezo suffers from numerous health problems, including the spread of malaria.
The village offers some basic low cost accommodation, for visitors, who like to stay over night or for a few days.
It is not known why the village has been built over the water, the main activities of its inhabitants is agriculture, while the fishery plays a secondary role. The lake is however perceived by the local population to protect against certain risks (e.g. a fire).
All supplies arrive with canoe, only. Electricity is only available via private power generators, as the government has not build any solar power station yet.
All supplies arrive with canoe, only. Electricity is only available via private power generators, as the government has not build any solar power station yet.
Construction
Nzulezo was built over Lake Tadane, the settlement of Nzulezo consists of stilt-supported structures integrated seamlessly with the water-dominated natural landscape.
It is not known why the village has been built over the water, the main activities of its inhabitants is agriculture, while the fishery plays a secondary role. The lake is however perceived by the local population to protect against certain risks (e.g. a fire)
Nzulezo was built over Lake Tadane, the settlement of Nzulezo consists of stilt-supported structures integrated seamlessly with the water-dominated natural landscape.
It is not known why the village has been built over the water, the main activities of its inhabitants is agriculture, while the fishery plays a secondary role. The lake is however perceived by the local population to protect against certain risks (e.g. a fire)
World Heritage Status
This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on January 17, 2000, in the Cultural category. The village was nominated to become a World Heritage Site for its importance in anthropology: in addition to being one of the few ancient settlements on stilts and platforms left in the world, there is a preserved wealth of ... |
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... local traditions connected with the cult of the lake. Lake Tadane occurs on the banks of all religious rites, and Thursday, is a day sacred to the lake, and it is forbidden to use and work on the lake for any activity throughout the day of Thurday.
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> More Pictures - More Info - Nzulezo Page 2
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