Route to Our Origins
Savannah-Region
Cultural Tours
&
Study Programs
Ghana
We offer cultural tours & online study programs for anyone interested in learning about the indigenous traditions and cultures Ghana's Savanna Region.
A key intent is to re-connect the African diaspora with their cultural heritage, especially those who feel their cultural origins are lost because of the colonial slave trade. 2019 was the Year of Return in Ghana, and many visited the southern coastal areas, especially Cape Coast, where Africans were shipped out into slavery, never to return.
We invite the Diaspora to return to home and freedom…through learning about their cultural origins and the rich philosophies and resources that are still alive in indigenous Africa.
We invite all who are interested--from anywhere in the world—to visit and learn about our cultural traditions, our flora and fauna, and our beautiful rural villages. If you want to volunteer with us before, during, or after your tour, let us know. We have many ways to volunteer…
Visit Sawla
We are making a new story….
Design your stay!
WIACT staff will arrange:
- transportation and accommodations
- trips to villages to experience cultural enjoyments such as: fire dancing; drumming, musical, and dance performances; and craft production (making shea butter, cloth weaving from cotton tree silk, traditional building methods and native food preparation)
- talks with traditional chiefs who can explain the history of the area as well as their role in organizing community life and resolving disputes
- conversations with elders and parents about child rearing the indigenous way
- explorations with elders about how plants are used in traditional healing
- visits with local farmers and discussions of agricultural practices during wet and dry seasons
Contact us to let us know what you would like to do or to arrange a tour: visitwiact@gmail.com
Places to Visit
SAWLA
This is the HQ of WIACT, and during your visit you can see or practice some of the traditional activities, drumming and dancing with people.
NYAηε
The traditional historical center for the Nyi Bia people (Gonja people); formerly the city was built with red stone. Although it has few inhabitants today, but it is still recognized as the traditional center for the Gonja people. You can still see the ruins of the Palace of the Paramount Chief that was destroyed during the colonial era (see our project to rebuild). You will see the ancient traditional things. The houses were without main door entrance and the people enter their houses from the roof. The landscape and vegetation are wonderful: the trees will inspire you and connect your spirit to nature.
KOLMASA
Kolmasa’s crocodile pond is protected by the community because crocodiles are part of their tradition.
KONG
An historical center for the Nyi Bia people (Gonja people), is culturally rich with traditional annual events, with typical traditional clothing and crafts. A beautifullandscape; the Holy fountain water from the rock and the Holy Alta. If you clean yourself from the Holy fountain you will be protected from all kinds of strange diseases.
WICHAU
...is one of the smallest communities left in Ghana where hippopotamus are still preserved and protected by the community.
Take a river safari to see them!
LARABANGA
is a historical village inhabited by the Mmara people. Visit its ancient mosque as the oldest surviving building in Ghana and the mystic and magic wonderful stone.
MOLE NATIONAL PARK
It is the largest natural park reserve for wild animals in Ghana as well as West Africa. The national park has about 4,840 km2; there are 93 species of mammals, which include elephants, buffalos, lions, leopard, cobs, hartebeest, bushbucks, baboons, hyenas, etc. over 344 species of birds and 33 species of reptiles, including the Nile crocodile, the biggest crocodile species in the world.
Take a safari or car, or explore by foot…you can also book a night or two at the historic lodge in the park.
Getting to Sawla
If you want to take a bus, our Accra logistics staff member (Empire) will pick you up from the airport and get you to the bus station. The cheapest alternative…it is an overnight trip to Sawla
Charter by van: It is the scenic method to get to Sawla.
This trip requires an overnight in Accra, and then an early morning start for Sawla. A LONG all-day trip. Our Accra staff member can take three per trip (four if you seat three in the back)
Fly to Tamale: This is the fastest way to get to Sawla but likely will require and overnight in Accra. WIACT staff will meet you at the Accra airport if you wish and get you to a hotel; then back to the airport the next morning to fly to Tamale.
WIACT staff will pick you up at Tamale airport and bring you to Sawla
Accommodations & meals
We can arrange any of several kinds of accommodations for your visit, including:
Many small roadside restaurants and food vendors in any village of Savannah region serve local foods and beverages. The lodge and guest houses can arrange for meals or help visitors with suggestions of places and foods to eat. Be sure to try fufu!
