Do you know that it is a taboo to use a metallic object or a normal dug-out canoe on Lake Bosomtwe. It has a bit of a superstitious connotation to the name. The name Bosomtwe could be broken down into two. Bosom (meaning a god) and ᴐtwe (meaning an antelope).
The Antelope
It is once said that a hunter was chasing an antelope who ran into the direction of the water body. It got into it and disappeared. It therefore left the belief that the antelope the hunter chased was the god of the lake. Hence the name Lake Bosomtwe (combining the two names). It therefore remains a very sacred place for the neighbouring communities.
The Meteoric Strike
The lake is known to have been created by a meteoric strike in that part of the region. Lake Bosomtwe is the only inland lake in Ghana with no surface outlet. It measures about 49 sq km of land area and depth of about 230 feet (70 meters). The lake is surrounded by lush mountains and fed by small streams that flow down the crater’s steep sides about 150–425 metres above water level.
The neighbouring villages have since settled around the waterbody till date. The village settlements around the lake keeps changing due to the rising levels of the lake which forces the villages to re-locate to the higher hilly areas.
Tourists Treat on Lake Bosomtwe
Tourists can get to the lake both through the Kumasi end which continues into a village called Abono from where tourist buy tickets to enjoy the lake. On holidays and such occasions, lots of games go on at the ‘lakeside’ and so has it been called.
It gives memorable impression with tourists who visit the lake. Being in the Ashanti region, tourists could get extra in the rich Ashanti history.
The Taboo
We started by saying that,it is a taboo to hit the Lake Bosomtwe with a metallic boat or a regular dugout canoe. So how you get on to the lake?
You would usually see fisherman in the lake on a large plank of wood that they sit on top of and use their hands, or plates in their hands to propel themselves. Prepare to sit on the plank of wood and paddling with your hands in this must-see location.
