FOCUS ON TOURISM IN NORTHERN REGION - LARABANGA - A PLACE OF MYSTERIES

By Lisa Bogler

In this village 4 km from Mole National Park, the white Sudanese-style mud-and-stick mosque is the attraction for passing tourists and not only due to its old age. 

It is not only the building itself that attracts visitors but also, if not more, the story connected with it. Locals tell everyone who is interested that this mosque is not built by humans. One morning, they say, the villagers woke up and found this mosque in the middle of a square, its white walls shining over the surrounding shacks. It has been built by God, is the explanation given without hesitation or doubt. Another mystery is the size of the building. It is said to be able to host as many persons as you can think of. From the outside the building does not look very big with its low doors, but the inside expands as more and more people enter. Unfortunately, the mosque is only open to praying muslims at praying times and it is impossible to catch a glimpse from the interior.

Also attracting foreigners is the Mystic Stone on the dusty road that leads into Larabanga. It is now surrounded by a stone wall as tall as a man to hide it from unwanted glances from the distance. Visitors are supposed to approach the stone properly and pay their duty to a man guarding the stone. He is also eager to tell the stone‘s story if you understand the local dialect. In the olden days, he explains, a man wanted to construct a road straight into the village, but the only obstacle was this stone sticking out of the ground. Not wanting to abolish his plans, he removed the stone to a different place. However, the next morning, the stone was back at its former spot, obstructing the construction of the road. All attempts to move the stone were in vain as it always came back so in the end, the road had to be built on a different route, now making a big curve around the mystic stone before entering the village. 

Apart from these stories, the village seems to be a quiet and friendly place. Tourists are most welcome at the Salia Brothers guesthouse, consisting of four simple round huts with double beds, one kilometre from the village centre. At the time of visit, the landlord was planning to bring electricity to the guesthouse. The brothers also founded a NGO for community and rural development and support a nearby school. Despite the lack of electricity, the guesthouse is a nice place to stay and visitors can enjoy friendly conversations with the owners at the evening fire and in the light of candles.