- Akpafu Todzi

- Alavanyo Abeheanse

- Dr. Noamesi

- Gbi-Wegbe

- Gbledi (Afadjato)

- Have

- Kpeve

- Kpledzo

- Leklebi Agbesia

- Liati Wote

- Likpe Todome

- Logba Tota

- Tafi Abuipe

- Tafi Atome

- Wli

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Attractions in Hohoe District > Tafi Abuipe

Tafi Abuipe

Location

From the main Accra-Hohoe road, the most direct route to Tafi Abuife is via a 5 km dirt road turning off westwards immediately to the south of Tafi Mado. Another option is a forest trail for hikers and mountainbikers from Tafi Atome (7 km). For those who would like to reach the village from Tafi Atome by vehicle, there is a 14 km round tour, using the Kpando road for about 3 to 4 km, turning left at the first junction and left again at a small village after another 7 to 8 km.

History

Kente weaving is possibly the most popular of Ghanaian crafts. Although the activity is widely associated with the Ashanti culture, Ewe people from the Volta Region claim that the tradition emerged in their villages and that enslaved Ewe weavers brought their skills to the Ashanti kingdom. Modern kente features intricately woven and richly colourful geometric designs, generally dominated by bold shades of yellow, green, blue, orange and red. Originally, however, only white and navy blue colours were available to the weavers until European traders introduced exotic fabrics and dyes.

Today, both the Ashanti Region and the Volta Region are the two major kente weaving areas. In the latter, the main centres include the town of Kpetoe and the village of Tafi Abuife, arguably the nicest kente weaving place to the visit as most weavers work outdoors.

The Village

The whole village life in Tafi Abuife is centred on kente weaving. Every family has somebody engaging in these skills, and in front of many houses there are some weavers at work. The villagers also constructed two roomy sheds where weavers can work under all weather conditions. The tourism infrastructure is widely undeveloped – a small local shop selling biscuits and drinks is the only available facility.

Main Attractions

Visitors come to Tafi Abuife in order to learn about kente weaving. For an entrance fee, they can freely walk around the village and take pictures. Cloth and clothes are readily available for sale, and prices are far below the official prices in Ashanti or Accra. The villagers further introduced a price controlling system which ensures that visitors are not ripped of by individual weavers. The Tourism Management Committee also organises kente weaving workshops for visitors. Other available village activities include local drumming sessions during which the musicians present, among others, Borborbor, Atsyagbekor, and Ampe – drumming styles peculiar to Tafi traditions. Furthermore, there is a constant exchange with the sister village of Tafi Atome, where a number of natural and cultural activities are on offer.

Information for the Visitor

Visitors should report to the temporary reception at the beginning of the village. After having paid an entrance fees, they can explore the village together with one of three non-permanent guides. A kente weaving workshop costs ¢40,000 per day, and takes place daily from 7am to 4:30pm.

There is hardly any tourism infrastructure except for a small local shop selling biscuits and drinks. Restaurants and accommodation are not yet available, although the villagers have plans to build a small resthouse or to organise village homestays.