5-23 Nzulezo Village Part 2

 I had been asking our guide, Prince Arthur, (yes- that was his name) but he goes by Arthur.  how did the people end up living on the water?  He kept saying it would be explained later.  I don't think I have mentioned that this village is on a river that empties into the Atlantic.

This seems to be the village toilets.  From what I was told - it empties into the same water that is under their houses.  The same water they drink and use to wash their clothes and dive in.

Someone's doorway.

Another door with quotes on it.

Our driver is buying water at a village shop.

These are historical canoes.  It looks like they are carved out of a single tree.

Almost all of the docks look like this - stuff and junk all over.  This is one of the impressions I have of Ghana - no one seems to be concerned about trash.  In Accra, our guide in Jamestown bought some water in a plastic bag.  When he finished it - he throw the bag on the ground.  In our last resort there were signs warning the workers about this - take care to keep the grounds clean.  

The building in the back ground is one an example of one of the early buildings - it is small compared to what we saw in the village.

This looked like a homemade stool.

Then we were led to the community center where we were introduced to a village elder named Mr. Atta.  He has been elected by the villagers to explain the history of the village and ask for money from tourists.  He had an old looking book in front of him as he recited the history of his people.  I thought it was a historical book - But no - it is a list of names and addresses of people who have donated to the village.  But to explain the history simply - there were different tribes centuries ago who were at war with each other.  His people lost and were not wanted.  They wandered from place to place.  No one would give them land.  Finally they decide to build a village on the water as no one claimed it.  But not all of their people stayed there.  Some people moved on and actually kept the language intact.  Here, as in a lot of places in Ghana tribe people inter-married.  That led to much less war.  Which is why Ghana is a much more peaceful country than a lot of African countries. 

Michael and I donated and here Michael is asked to add his name to the book.

While this is going on - I am still taking photos.

Chairs in the village center.  While we were there there was several announcements over an intercom.  This is the communication system in the village.  If you have a complaint against a neighbor - you go here to state your complaint.  The dispute is discussed and decided in this community center.  The announcement announces when things are to happen.

Then Michael being the entrepreneur he is - starts giving them suggestions on how to advertise themselves better.  He gives Prince Arthur his email and WhatsApp phone number.  

A drum in the community room.

Prince Arthur is a nephew of Mr. Atta.

Another shop.

The sun is getting low.  And the reflections are beautiful. 

They do have electricity in the village.  There are Tv's, but this sewing machine is old-fashioned.  

Finally the light is perfect.