Jarek Pokrzywnicki

Polska - 01-Apr-14 -

Visited March, 2014. Easily access from Po via local public transport (around 30 km one way, although apart from market days you will have to wait - other possibility is a motorbike).

Tiebele is a Kassena village, local ethnic group that live in the area from around 15 century AD. Traditional houses (sukhala) in what was called Cour Royale de Tiébélé are painted mostly by women using red, white and black colors. Chief's compound is located a bit from village center, there is an entrance fee (2000 CFA + obligatory guide - negotiate hard as that may be overpriced - I paid another 2000 CFA for approximately 1 hour walk, it is better if you speak some French. It is not possible to make pictures even from outside without buying a ticket (there is always someone / local who warn you not to do it).

The site itself is not very well maintained nor preserved and comparing to other similar areas (Koutammakou, Tongo-Tenguzuk in Ghana) is very small, just a single compound covering approximately 30 houses including those distroyed.

There is a possibility of finding accommodation in Tiebele, around one km from the site - nice local hotel that is built in the style of local mud houses. Hotel is basic - showers and toilets outside, water from the backet, restaurant on the spot.

For the way back, if you want to use local transport, it may take hours, otherwise there are occasional motorbikes.