The houses on stilts
Grey with metal roofs.
KwesiRaul — CC BY-SA 4.0 · KwesiRaul — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Joy Agyepong — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Joy Agyepong — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Joy Agyepong — CC BY-SA 4.0
Nzulezo Stilt Village is an entire settlement built on wooden posts over water, in Ghana's Western Region, about 90 km west of Takoradi by road. More than 500 people live here, overlooking Lake Tadane, and the only way in is by boat. Its name means «water surface» in the Nzema language. Local accounts say the villagers' ancestors came from far away long ago, following the water until they settled here. In 2000 the village was put forward as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, though it has not been listed. It is increasingly a source of tourism for the area, with daily life still resting on fishing and farming. The trip begins in a wooden boat along quiet channels, past water lilies and green trees reflected on the surface. Then the grey houses with their metal roofs appear, standing above the water on rows of posts. Broad wooden walkways link them, with a school, a church and small shops. People get around in small canoes, as the water here is the street. Boats leave from Beyin, where the visitor office is, and the trip takes about an hour there and back, or more. People live here, so ask before photographing anyone or entering a house. Bring a hat and water, as the boat has no shade. Work stops in the village on certain days by tradition, so ask ahead.
Grey with metal roofs.
Channels and water lilies.
Village streets over water.
Near Beyin, Western Region, Ghana
By boat from Beyin, where the visitor office is, as no road reaches it.
Ask the visitor office what is available, as the village is small and options are simple.