Packed with Fascinating Traditional Architecture! Ghana’s World Heritage Site – Traditional Buildings of the Ashanti

Ghana, located in West Africa, is bordered by Côte d’Ivoire to the west and faces the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Known as a cacao bean producing region, it is also a source of diamonds and gold. Various ethnic groups have lived there since ancient times, but after invasions by Portugal, Germany, and Britain from the 15th century onwards, the slave trade began. In the 17th century, the Ashanti Kingdom was established and flourished through the slave trade.
The Ashanti Kingdom existed in the inland region of Ghana from the latter half of the 17th century until the early 20th century. What conveys its traditional culture today is the World Heritage Site: the Traditional Buildings of the Ashanti. The original structures were destroyed during wars with Britain that continued from the 19th to the 20th century, but today, buildings reconstructed after the 20th century can be seen.

What Are the Traditional Buildings of the Ashanti?

The World Heritage Site “Traditional Buildings of the Ashanti” is located in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, in the south-central part of the country. It lies about 36 km south of Kumasi, Ghana’s second-largest city, and takes about 50 minutes by car.
In the latter half of the 17th century, the Ashanti Kingdom prospered here through the slave trade. It was established by the Ashanti people, who lived in the forest zone, together with neighboring tribes, thriving through trade with Europe. At its height, many buildings were constructed, forming a valuable group of structures that told the story of the kingdom’s traditional culture. However, most were destroyed in wars with Britain that began in the early 19th century.
After Ghana became a British colony, the traditional buildings were restored in the 20th century. Typically, they were built surrounding a courtyard, using unique Ghanaian building materials, and designed to provide excellent ventilation.

Access to the Traditional Buildings of the Ashanti

From Accra to Kumasi is about 250 km; by bus, it takes about five hours. There are few flights, but by plane, the trip takes about 40 minutes.

Two Recommended Highlights of the Traditional Buildings of the Ashanti

Traditional Architecture

The main attraction of the World Heritage “Traditional Buildings of the Ashanti” is, of course, the traditional architecture. Most buildings are made from mud and palm-leaf thatched roofs, materials native to Ghana, providing excellent ventilation. The sun-dried brick walls and thatched roofs create a simple, tropical atmosphere.
The decorations are also distinctive, with wood carvings of spirals, flowers, fish, and birds that reflect the history and culture of the time. While the current buildings are reconstructions from the 20th century and not originals, they still convey the culture of the Ashanti Kingdom, which flourished in the 17th century.

Temples

Another highlight is the temples. The Ashanti temples, adorned with splendid decorations, enshrine “Nyame,” the supreme god of the Ashanti people. Christian missionaries referred to them as “houses of fetishes” and despised them, leading to their destruction by the British army.
The reconstructed temples are decorated with motifs of flowers and birds, and visitors often come to see sites such as the Besease Temple. Though they look like traditional houses from the outside, they still serve as places of worship for traditional beliefs today.

◎ Summary

We have introduced the World Heritage “Traditional Buildings of the Ashanti” in Ghana. Although most of the original traditional buildings were destroyed, they have been restored and now allow visitors to experience the history and culture of the time. Why not enjoy sightseeing among these traditional buildings yourself?