One the oldest buildings in West Africa

We previously posted a blog on our trip to Mole National Park where we saw live elephants and a dead wart hog. On that trip we took the time to stop and see the Mosque in Larabanga. Larabanga is a small village about five minutes off the highway to Mole. Apparently one of it’s sources of cash income is giving tours to its mosque which is said to date from 1421 and is the  oldest mosque in Africa. The mosque is unique for its architecture and covers many magazines and tour books.

 The Mosque of Larabanga

Preparation day at the Mosque of Larabanga

The founder of the mosque is said to be buried under the large baobab tree on side of the mosque.

There are separate doors for men and women.

The northern portion of Ghana has a larger percentage of Muslims than does the south. This mosque seemed to be the center of activity in the village.

We arrived just after a cow had been ceremonially slaughtered and the members of the village were dividing the carcass. There was some debate among the group as to what was fair and who should get which cut of meat.

Aside from the mosque Larabanga is pretty much like most other Ghanan villages with women walking to get water and little boys playing with what they can find since toys are in very short supply.

The homes are rudimentary but functional. 

The following are pictures of this woman's home.

The kitchen in this home is on the front porch.

 It also has an indentation carved in the floor where local women give birth.

Notwithstanding the major attraction of the mosque and the humble circumstances of the people we found them to be warm and friendly just like most of the people we have met in Ghana.