Unique floating village of Nzulezo in Ghana

The floating village of Nzulezo is located on Lake Tandane, in western Ghana. The name of the village is derived from a local word, namelynzema- meaning "water". 300km from Ghana's capital Accra, this village has coexisted with nature and is a perfect symbiosis between humans and Mother Earth for centuries.

More than 500 people live in Nzulezo, where everything from preparing meals to children going to school takes place on the water.

Mr. John Arthur - an elder living in the community said, after the war for fertile land and gold with the Mande people in West Africa, the first residents of Nzulezo migrated here from Mali in the 15th century. According to legend, the ancestors of the people in Nzulezo were led to Lake Tandane by a god who appeared in the form of a snail and advised them to build houses on the water to ensure safety and security.

stilt house tourism

For centuries, the people of Nzulezo have lived in houses built of raffia palm branches.

David Blay, a local guide, said that today, each family in Nzulezo owns a street and they are named after the head of that family. In addition, because dugout canoes are the only means of transportation here, each family member will have their own boat. For example, a family of 3 people will have 3 boats.

One of the factors that attracts tourists from all over the world to this village on water is the local gin called Akpeteshi made from raffia palm.

“Tourism here started 20 years ago,” says Blay. “Most people go exploring different towns in Ghana and stop by here to taste our wine. They find it different and better than wine from other places.”

Listed as a tentative world heritage site, Nzulezo is also known for its many rare species of turtles, monkeys and crocodiles.

In particular, the locals here often benefit from charitable donations from tourists. "Visitors often come here to buy food and souvenirs. Many also bring gifts to support our community," Blay said.

ancient habits and the modern world

Over the centuries, while still maintaining a traditional way of life, the Nzulezo people have also gained access to modern conveniences such as electricity, meaning they no longer have to rely on kerosene or lanterns. In addition, the Nzulezo people are now asking the local government to build them a 24-hour health care facility.

Eckah Ebuley, one of the few nurses caring for the sick in the village, said that villagers often had to travel 5km by boat to see a doctor. “Women in labour need to come to the clinic to give birth. But we also tell them not to wait until then to come to the clinic, because it will be too late,” he said.

Transportation is also a problem. "Sometimes we wait at the boat dock and no boat comes, and sometimes the boat is late. And when we are late, the patients get tired of waiting and go home," Ebuley says.

not enough teachers

Being on water also makes recruiting teachers to teach the children in Nzulezo difficult. Evans Cudjoe, headmaster of the village’s only primary school, says new teachers hired by the government never return to the community after their initial visit.

"After the first time they came to our village, they never returned because they were afraid of floating on the lake," he said.

Cudjoe has been teaching in Nzulezo for nine years and believes teachers are not motivated to stay. “There is no safety allowance or protective equipment,” he said. “If the government provided those things, they would be willing to come here to teach.”

According to Cudjoe, despite facing many difficult challenges, some of his students have left Nzulezo for further education, even university, and have bright futures.

Yet, although the people of Nzulezo are open to some modern demands, they still feel the need to maintain their traditional way of life.

Mr. John Arthur shared: "Our life here is very comfortable. We cook, live and have our own entertainment activities, and so do the children. We do not lack things on the mainland. We want to stick with this lifestyle and this village."

Hai Anh