Under the Kum Tree, it is the meaning of Kumasi in Twi. I am always amused by the poetic names that past generations gave to places. Unfortunately, around the world, many of these intangible cultural heritage terms were replaced by the name of politicians, explorers, etc., which it is a shame. The story says that a chief fetish priest planted three Kum trees in different places to see which would be a great city. Only the tree planted in what is now Kumasi grew strong and flourish.
Kumasi is the second largest city in Ghana and it was the capital for the Ashanti Empire. I was amazed by the beauty of its lush and diverse vegetation, not in vain is known as the Garden City.
I am glad that I had the chance to visit this Rain Forest Region, even though I did it for a day. Being a photographer gives me the chance to explore and be taught from other people and business. In this case, I learned about the cocoa production in the proper cocoa plantation…how amazing is that!
Come and see some photos of that trip.
Next to the plantation the kids played happily with water.
The origin of cocoa is from Latin America. However, it grows happily among the 20° north and south of the equator around the globe.
The cacao tree has the particularity of growing its pods from the trunk and its fruits don’t ripe at the same time.
Once the cocoa pods are ripen, they are opened and the seeds are taken to ferment.
The seeds are left on banana leaves and wrapped with them to begin the fermentation process.
The seeds are wrapped with the banana leaves and the empty pod is on it preventing to be unwrapped.
Later the seeds are drying in the sun. Once this process is finished, they are ready for shipping.
Cocoa pods.
The farmer of this plantation.
Kids playing with water.