Native birds and traditional weavers

Yesterday we visited the Bobiri Forest, 30kms from Kumasi, famed for its variety of indigenous butterflies and birds. We set off from the hotel at 7am, hoping to be prompt enough to see the early-rising birds. They proved elusive, but we felt vindicated (i.e. it was not just our lack of expertise) when we came across a troupe of professional birdwatchers (one of whom had been at college with James!) and discovered they hadn't had much luck either. With the benefit of their high-powered binoculars we did see a black dwarf hornbill and a cream dove but nothing close up, except for some amazing butterflies and bugs.

Then we went on to Adanwomase, which is one of the weaving communities famous for producing the Kente cloth which has been worn by local tribespeople for over 200 years. Nowadays most Ghanaians own a few kentes for special occasions, and the each pattern conveys a statement or message, including one which means "Back off, stop acting so jealous!". We had a brilliant guide, himself a weaver (a trade restricted to men), who talked us through the whole process and let us have a go at every step of the weaving process. It seems that foreign females are excluded from the gender restrictions. Naturally we purchased full kente garb, so now we're just looking for some fancy dress party invitations...

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