Discover Tamale Municipal: Art, Markets and Craftsmanship

Tamale offers a glimpse of art, markets and craft traditions, while the Northern Region, as a broader travel destination, has its own landscapes, festival culture and history. The contrast between specific urban themes and regional topics that reach beyond Tamale is particularly appealing. Many travellers stop in Tamale Metropolis on their way to Mole National Park before continuing their journey to West Gonja District. This stopover is a distinct travel option alongside a stay focused on art, markets and craftsmanship.

Art, Markets and Craft Traditions

In Tamale’s Central Business District is the Centre for National Culture, which features exhibitions of local art and handicrafts. Tamale Central Market offers a different perspective, with traditional handicrafts, clothing and local cuisine. The contrast highlights two cultural sides of Tamale: exhibitions on the one hand, and market offerings of goods and food on the other.

The production of Zanamat mats also connects craftsmanship with the seasons. In Tamale Metropolis, tall grasses that grow naturally during the rainy season are made into Zanamat mats. They are used for roofing and fencing.

A 2024 household survey in Tamale Metropolis lists a smock and handicraft centre and the German Cemetery among the tourist attractions, while also noting the hope that the listed sites will be developed. The Ghana Tourism Authority also lists a Zoological Garden in Tamale as an attraction. An artist’s biography likewise connects Tamale with art: Ibrahim Mahama, the artist behind Red Clay Studio, was born and educated in Tamale.

Northern Region: Landscapes, Festival Culture and History

Tamale is the capital of the Northern Region. Its savannah landscape includes grasslands, baobab and acacia trees, as well as the Gambaga Escarpment and the Nakpanduri Cliffs. The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly lies in Ghana’s savannah woodland zone. Trees in this part of the country are low-growing and scattered in small groves; species include dawadawa, neem, acacia, mahogany and baobab. These landscapes form the broader regional setting for a journey beyond Tamale.

The traditions of the Northern Region also enrich the picture of the area. The traditional Damba Festival combines music, dancing, horsemanship and courtly pageantry. It was originally held to mark the birthday of Muhammad. Fugu textiles are produced in centres in Temale, Gushiegu and Yendi. Festival culture and textile craftsmanship thus represent different forms of cultural expression in the region.

The history of the Northern Region also includes the history of the slave trade. Yendi is associated with it, including the tomb of Babato and the remains of his army. In Salaga, wells are part of this historical context: their water was used to bathe enslaved people before they were sold. Salaga is also home to the residence of slave traders. These sites lend a sombre focus to the region’s history alongside its landscapes, festivals and craftsmanship.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Trip

When choosing a holiday rental, you can first decide whether you want your stay to centre on art, markets and craftsmanship in Tamale, or whether you would like to consider the Northern Region as a wider travel destination. A stopover on the way to Mole National Park is another kind of travel plan.

For the broader travel overview: Northern Region.