🧶 More Than a Tour: The People Behind the Places

“I’ve been weaving since I was ten,” says Kwabena, a third-generation Kente weaver in Bonwire. His hands move with muscle memory—pulling, lifting, folding—as he works a vibrant gold-and-indigo thread into cloth. “It’s not just fabric,” he says with a half-smile. “It’s a language.”

You hear this kind of thing a lot in the Ashanti Region. A phrase here. A proverb there. But it doesn’t feel rehearsed. It feels real—like you’ve stepped into someone’s story and they’re letting you stay for a while.

At Kejetia Market, a woman selling beads laughs as she teaches you the word for “discount” in Twi. “Only for you,” she jokes. Down the road, a food vendor stirs steaming jollof rice as she tells you why she only cooks with local spices passed down from her grandmother.

In Ntonso, an Adinkra artisan lays out freshly dyed cloth under the sun and invites you to try stamping a symbol. “Pick one that means something to you,” she says. You choose Eban—the symbol for protection—and she nods. “That’s a good one for travelers.”

You don’t leave these moments behind. You pack them with you like postcards etched into memory. That’s what makes the Ashanti Region different.

It’s not a show. It’s not a performance.

🌿 Beyond the Highlights: Ashanti’s Best-Kept Secrets

Everyone knows Manhyia Palace. Most people make it to Kejetia or Lake Bosomtwe. But what if you could wander deeper—into places that aren’t crowded with tour buses, but still pulse with history and heart?

🏛️ Ejisu Besease Shrine

Just a short ride from Kumasi, the Ejisu Besease Traditional Shrine feels like a whisper from another time. The earth underfoot is warm. The painted walls tell stories of ancestral spirits. And if you’re lucky, a local priestess might share a proverb or two that sticks with you long after you’ve gone.

It’s not flashy. But it’s powerful.

🪶 Ahwiaa Woodcarving Village

This place smells like cedar and craftsmanship. In Ahwiaa, wooden stools, walking sticks, and ceremonial masks come to life under the steady hands of artisans. Watching them carve Adinkra symbols into dark mahogany isn’t just mesmerizing—it’s grounding. It reminds you that in Ashanti, art is more than decoration. It’s identity.

🧙🏾‍♀️ Yaa Asantewaa Memorial Museum

Named after the warrior queen who led the Ashanti rebellion against British colonizers in 1900, this quiet museum in Ejisu packs a punch. Old photographs, weapons, and personal items make her story feel personal. Raw. Brave. Fierce. You leave thinking not just about her fight—but about every woman who refuses to be silenced.

🍛 Come Hungry. Leave Connected.

🥘 The Taste of Ashanti Is Deep, Rich, and Generous

You smell it before you see it—fufu and light soup, bubbling over a charcoal stove. There’s a quiet pride in the way it’s served: not rushed, not fancy, but warm, steaming, and handed to you like a blessing.

Here, meals aren’t meals. They’re moments.

From the earthy thickness of groundnut soup to the bold heat of grilled tilapia, Ashanti food doesn’t hold back. You’ll taste smoked fish, garden eggs, kontomire stew, and spices that don’t come from jars—but from grandmothers’ gardens.

And then there’s pito—a locally brewed millet beer. Served in calabash bowls, it’s slightly sweet, slightly sour, and absolutely communal. You don’t sip pito alone. You sip it in circles. With laughter. With storytelling. With rhythm.

🙌🏾 Eating Is Cultural—Not Just Culinary

Before you dig in, you’ll often hear: “You are invited.” It’s not a formality—it’s real hospitality. In many Ashanti homes, you eat with your right hand, and you wait for the eldest to begin.

It’s not about rules. It’s about rhythm. You follow the flow. You pay attention. You listen as much as you taste.

Don’t be surprised if someone offers to feed you—literally. Especially if you’re a guest. Especially if they like you.

In Ashanti culture, feeding someone is affection made visible.

So when in doubt, come open. Come curious. And come with an empty stomach.

🧳 Travel Tips: How to Feel at Home in the Ashanti Region

🕰️ Best Time to Visit? When the Rhythm Feels Right.

The Ashanti Region is welcoming year-round, but if you’re chasing festivals and full cultural immersion, plan for July through September. That’s when Akwasidae festivals light up the palace grounds with color, drumming, and tradition.

Looking for quieter vibes? December to February gives you sunshine and dry skies—perfect for road trips to lakes, villages, and shrines.

🚖 Getting Around: Go Local, But Go Smart

Taxis are everywhere, but don’t expect meters. Negotiate fare upfront. For longer day trips (like to Bonwire or Lake Bosomtwe), book a trusted driver through your hotel—or better yet, the Akwaaba App.

Feeling adventurous? Try a “trotro” (shared minivan), but prepare for some squeezing and very loud radio stations. It’s cheap, and it’s local life in motion.

🧥 What to Pack (Besides Curiosity)

• Light, breathable clothes—but modest for shrine visits

• A scarf or cloth (useful as a cover-up, head wrap, or seat cushion)

• Reusable water bottle (stay hydrated!)

• Cash in small denominations—mobile money and card payments aren’t always accepted

And yes, bring gifts or souvenirs from your home country if you plan to visit a village or stay with locals. It doesn’t have to be big. It’s the gesture that matters.

🗣️ Basic Twi Phrases That Go a Long Way

• Medaase – Thank you

• Akwaaba – Welcome

• Ɛte sɛn? – How are you?

• Me ho yɛ – I’m fine

• Wo din de sɛn? – What’s your name?

Don’t worry about perfect pronunciation. What matters is that you try. People will meet you with smiles—and sometimes laughter. And that’s the beauty of it.