Kumasi Metropolitan: History, Culture and Everyday Life

Kumasi Fort was destroyed by British forces in 1874 and rebuilt in 1897. This history of destruction and reconstruction gives Kumasi Metropolitan a tangible historical connection. Museums, a major market and cultural sites offer further perspectives on the destination.

History and Everyday Life in Kumasi Metropolitan

The collection at the Kumasi Fort and Military Museum includes weapons of war, standards, medals, armored vehicles, anti-aircraft guns, photographs and portraits. It brings together military equipment and awards with visual records. The contents of the collection may change over time.

The Manhyia Palace Museum offers tours about the history of the Ashanti Kingdom, the royal line and rituals, as well as conflicts with British colonial forces. Check the current arrangements before your visit. This will help you tailor your visit to the tour topics that interest you most.

A traditional account is associated with the Komfo Anokye Sword Site: the Golden Stool of Asanteman is said to have descended there into the lap of King Osei Tutu I, “Opemsuo,” founder of the Asante nation. The story is passed down as a traditional historical narrative.

Kumasi Zoo was established in 1957 by the Asanteman Council and serves as a sanctuary for native wildlife from Ghana as well as animals from other countries. Kejetia Central Market is a major trading hub in Kumasi for shopping, transport, food and everyday commerce. It therefore serves several functions in urban life beyond shopping.

Ashanti: Cultural Heritage, Craft and Nature

As part of the wider Ashanti destination, Kumasi has a broader historical context: the city is the historical capital of the Ashanti Region and Ghana’s second-largest city. The Asantehene Osei Tutu founded Kumasi in 1695. Ten surviving Asante Traditional Buildings are located in and around Kumasi in the Ashanti Region and are among the sites listed by the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Manhyia Palace Museum is also part of Ashanti’s cultural context: a battle outfit dating from 1900 is displayed there. The Yaw Tano Shrine in Ejisu-Besease is also known as the Tano Yaw Shrine. These examples complement the history and tours of royal heritage offered in Kumasi itself.

In Ashanti, Bonwire is considered a leading center of Kente weaving. According to legend, two friends from Bonwire learned the craft by watching a spider spin its web. Ntonso is considered the home of Adinkra cloth and Ghana’s largest producer of Adinkra.

In Adanwomse, visitors can try spinning, warping and weaving on a one-hour tour of the community Kente workshop. Check the arrangements before your visit. A culinary tour there includes farm visits, tapping palm wine and preparing traditional dishes; tastings must be arranged in advance. A village theater group presents dance, drumming and storytelling, also by arrangement before the visit. In Ntonso, visitors can learn about and try steps in Adinkra production on a guided tour, including preparing dye, dyeing fabric, Adinkra printing and embroidery.

Notable festivals in the Ashanti Region include Papa, Kente, Nkyidwo and Adae Kese. The Akwasidae Festival honors past Akan leaders and heroes and attracts participants from around the world.

Lake Bosomtwe is in the Ashanti Region and is one of six UNESCO-designated biosphere reserves. Visitors can take boat trips on the lake, swim in it and hike around it. Local availability of boat trips and conditions for swimming and hiking may vary. An information center at Lake Bosomtwe provides information about the lake and conservation efforts and can arrange boat trips; check the current arrangements locally.

Discover more destinations: Kumasi

Go to the main travel overview: Ashanti.