kumasi: it’s… a lot. honestly.
okay, so i’m back. and i’m already questioning every life choice that led me here. kumasi. it’s… intense. i just checked and it’s… there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. seriously, the humidity is clinging to me like a second skin. it’s 74% and i’m pretty sure i’m sweating through my clothes.
first off, the location. 6.688° N latitude and -1.624° longitude. it’s in south-central ghana, which, let’s be real, sounds like a really long, complicated place to visit. it’s about 250 kilometers northwest of accra, and it’s basically surrounded by hills - like, actual hills. they say it’s around 935-1000 feet above sea level. it’s a dense forest belt, which is… green. a lot of green. and it rains a lot. april to october, apparently. someone told me that the rain is biblical, and honestly, i’m starting to believe them.
but let’s talk history. this place was founded by osei tutu, like, way back in the late 17th century. he picked the spot because of a kum tree - seriously, a tree. and now it’s called kumasi. it was a major trade route, you know? like, a really major trade route. and the Asantehene, the king, lives there. there’s this thing called the golden stool, which is apparently super important. and the british, predictably, messed things up by destroying the palace in 1874. now there’s a museum in a fort from 1897. it’s… a lot of history.
and the weather! it’s a tropical savannah climate, which i’m pretty sure just means hot and sweaty. highs around 93°F (34°C) in february and march, and lows of about 72°F (22°C) in july and august. they get like 1500 mm of rain a year. the winds are from the west, which is… windy. i’m not complaining, just stating facts.
okay, let’s talk about stuff to do. manhyia palace museum - you can see the Asantehene’s stuff. the golden stool site - apparently, it’s sacred. the ghana regiment museum - in a fort. and kejetia market. oh my god, kejetia market. it’s one of the largest open-air markets in africa. it’s… chaotic. a beautiful, overwhelming chaos. if you get bored, oda, koforidua, kade, assin fosu, offin dunkwa, sunyani, goaso, jasikan, and kadjebi are just a short drive away.
and the food! fufu with light soup, banku with tilapia, jollof rice, suya, waakye… it’s a lot of pounded things. palm nut soup is a must-try. and they use yams, cassava, and tropical fruits. it’s all very… earthy.
and otumfuo osei tutu ii, the current asantehene, and kofi annan (honorary ties, apparently). sarkodie and fuse odg are from here too. it’s a huge, densely populated city, especially around the fort. it’s a multi-zoned city, which is… complicated.
seriously, be careful. the weather is brutal, the traffic is insane, and you need bottled water. and don’t be disrespectful. dress modestly near the palaces. and don’t wander off alone at night. it’s generally a welcoming place, but you know… caution. it’s just… a lot. i’m going to go find a fan.
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/athens-a-hot-mess-of-history-and-heat
- https://topiclo.com/post/krasnoyarsk-siberia-but-make-itcold
- https://topiclo.com/post/the-complete-guide-to-the-best-fulfillment-companies-in-europe-and-the-netherlands
- https://topiclo.com/post/sticky-nights-and-salsa-knees-surviving-cali
- https://topiclo.com/post/diyarbakr-where-the-walls-are-black-and-my-spirit-is-rough