DAY 1 – ACCRA (D)
Upon arrival in Accra, you will be met by a local, Well Crafted Travel representative who will transfer you to the hotel. This evening, we will all meet at 6pm for a casual, welcome cocktail party. Because many will be quite tired after the long travel, we will call it an early night so we are ready to start fresh the next morning.
Please note that hotel check-in is not guaranteed until approximately 3pm. If you would like guaranteed, immediate check-in upon arrival, please request this at the time of booking (additional charge applies).
Labadi, 5*, African group, luxury rooms Or Villa Monticello, Executive Suite (7 rooms)
DAY 2 - ACCRA (B - L)
This morning, we will visit Accra, the capital of Ghana, which has maintained its unique identity despite the fast paced development currently underway in this intriguing African city.
We will explore the old quarter of James Town, inhabited by the autochthonous population known as the Ga. Also on the agenda is a visit to the National Museum, one of the first works of independent Ghana. The National Museum has three main galleries: these deal respectively with Ghana’s past; her traditions; and with the country’s arts culture. The galleries present exhibits on prehistoric Africa; they display sculptures and paintings from pioneering and contemporary artists; and they provide examples of traditional attire, local musical instruments, and sacred tribal artIfacts. Our visit here will allow us to better understand the areas we will be visiting as we make our way around the country.
This afternoon, we will enjoy our first workshop. We will learn the basic process of batik, the amazing, ancient method of color dyeing. Technically, batik, which has been around for hundreds of years, is the process of applying dyes to porous surfaces. Though it can be a labor intensive and complex process, this technique produces some of the most beautiful art in the world. We will leave the workshop today, with a basic understanding of the process and inspiration to generate ideas of our own works that we will start tomorrow.
Labadi, 5*, African group, luxury rooms Or Villa Monticello, Executive Suite (7 rooms)
DAY 3 - ACCRA (B, L, D)
Today we will return to the batik workshop with fresh ideas to create our own finished products. We will spend the day better understanding the techniques with hands-on experience, enjoying the full process from design concept, to execution. We will return to the hotel this afternoon with our own batiks that will be more than just a piece of fabric, but will also be a snapshot into your time in Ghana.
You will have this afternoon free to explore, shop or simply relax.
Labadi, 5*, African group, luxury rooms Or Villa Monticello, Executive Suite (7 rooms)
Day 4 - ACCRA (B - L - D)
Today we get an introduction to a tradition that is truly unique to Ghana. We will meet artists who specialize in building fantasy coffins. These hand-crafted coffins can be in the shape of fruits, animals, fish, cars, airplanes; the only limit is the intended occupant’s imagination. Though this tradition became popular less than 65 years ago, these flamboyant coffin designs are collected worldwide and are showcased in many museums.
After learning a bit about the history of the tradition & seeing some amazing examples, we will visit Paa Joe 'sworkshop where we will make our own small, souvenir fantasy coffins.
“Paa Joe's sculpted coffins blur the line between art and craft. Each work is carefully constructed to reflect the ambition or the trade of the person for whom it was made. They are not dead things but are instead a manifestation of and indeed an affirmation of life. The works are wholly African and are a contemporary embodiment of traditional tribal burial rituals and art practice. They link back to pre-colonial West African sculpture but also recall the pomp and extravagance of ancient Egyptian royal tombs. In contemporary Western art practice the coffins recall Jeff Koons. They too are kitsch - Paa Joe, like Koons, plays with scale and with a work like the Jet, with material and commercial ostentation. The foremost sculpted coffin maker of his generation, Paa Joe apprenticed with Kane Kwei – who is credited with beginning the 20th century tradition of figurative coffins. Paa Joe's work is held in museum collections around the world including the British Museum in London. “ (by Jack Bell Gallery)
Paa Joe will hold the workshop, if available; otherwise we will work with his assistants.
Labadi, 5*, African group, luxury rooms Or Villa Monticello, Executive Suite (7 rooms)
DAY 5 - ACCRA - KUMASI (B - L)
This morning we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Kumasi.
Upon arrival in Kumasi, we will visit a traditional Ashanti shrine, recently renovated and famous for its unique decorations. These houses played an important role in the history and culture of the Ashanti people.
We will arrive into Kumasi in time for lunch. Kumasi is the historical and spiritual capital of the old Ashanti Kingdom. The Ashanti people were one of the most powerful nations in Africa until the end of the 19th century, when the British annexed the Ashanti country to their Gold Coast colony.
Today, with nearly one million inhabitants, Kumasi is a sprawling city with a fantastic central market, one of the biggest in Africa. Every kind of Ashanti craft (leather goods, pottery, Adinkra & Kente cloth) is found here, along with just about every kind of tropical fruit and vegetable. We will have time to explore the market during our time here.
After lunch, we will make a visit to the Ashanti Cultural Center which has a rich collection of Ashanti artifacts housed in a wonderful reproduction of an Ashanti house. After our visit here, we will enjoy free time to relax and explore on our own.
Golden Tulip, 4 *, superior room
DAY 6 - KUMASI (B - L)
Today, after having appreciated the Ashanti unique sense of beauty at yesterday's visit to the Museum of Cultural Center, we will learn the technique of Adinkra ourselves in a village known for its production.
Adinkra (ah-DEEN-krah) cloth is a hand-printed fabric made in Ghana. Developed by the Ashanti people, Adinkra cloths were traditionally made for royalty to wear during religious ceremonies. Through the years, people have also decorated the cloths to tell stories or to express their thoughts and feelings.
Adinkra cloth is stamped and patterned with traditional Ashanti symbols, each having its own meaning. People in Ghana decorate the cloth by using a black dye made of bark called Adinkera aduru, which gives the cloth its name. Using the dye, they draw lines on the cloth to divide it into squares. Next, they carve symbols into calabash gourds, press the gourds into the dye, and stamp the symbols onto the fabric.
Today we will have a demonstration to learn the whole process and understand the meaning of the Adinkra symbols. Then we will learn about the different elements which they use for the production: preparing colors, printing and drying.
Golden Tulip, 4 *, superior room
DAY 7 - KUMASI (B - L - D)
Today we return to the village where we will begin to carve our own designs into the calabash, creating stamps which we will be able to take home and continue to incorporate into our own creations. After the workshop, we will return to the hotel & you will have the rest of the day free to relax or shop.
Golden Tulip, 4 *, superior room
Day 8 - KUMASI - ACCRA - HOME (B)
This morning we will have some free time to relax before we transfer back to the airport for our flight to Accra.
Upon arrival in Accra, we will have some time for last minute shopping at the craft center. We will have access to day-use rooms at a hotel Labadi Beach until it is time to transfer to the airport for our international flight home.
B:Breakfast L:Lunch D:Dinner