Tamale: Craft, Dance and Drum Making

Tamale as a Stopover and Cultural Stop

Many tourists stop in Tamale on their way to Mole National Park before continuing their journey to the West Gonja District. In addition, the Tamale Youth Home Cultural Group offers hands-on opportunities to explore crafts, dance and drumming. If you include Tamale in your trip, you can choose between a short break in your onward journey and spending more time on these cultural activities.

Hands-On Craft Activities

The Tamale Youth Home Cultural Group offers tailoring, smock weaving and drum making. Visitors, tourists and international students of music and culture can take part in the craft activities. As part of drum making, participants can learn to repair and rehead Djembe, Kpanlogo, Gungon and Lunga drums. If you are more interested in textiles, tailoring and smock weaving may be a good fit; for instruments, drum making offers a specific focus. To help you choose, consider whether you would rather explore textile work or learn about handling instruments in practice.

Plan for Dance and Drumming

The group practises dance and drumming from 4 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. This time slot gives you a specific point of reference for planning your day if you want to fit in crafts, practice and onward travel while in Tamale. Unlike the craft activities, which visitors are invited to join, this information refers to the group’s practice times. If you would like to combine a visit with a practice session, check the times with the group beforehand, as the schedule may change. This lets you coordinate your trip and a possible visit without treating the practice slot as a confirmed appointment for visitors.

The Shop as a Separate Attraction

The group also has a shop selling items including clothing, smocks, bags, drums and paintings. This offers a different way to engage than taking part in the craft activities: you can look into the possibility of participating or browse the items for sale. If you are looking for a particular item, ask the group in advance whether it is currently available.

Choose Accommodation to Suit Your Itinerary

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Tamale, it helps to first decide what role Tamale will play in your trip. If Tamale is primarily a stopover on the way to Mole National Park, the focus is on the leg before continuing to the West Gonja District. If you would like to spend time with the Tamale Youth Home Cultural Group, plan craft activities or dance and drumming into your day; check directly with the group about current options. The key consideration is how much time you want to set aside for onward travel, crafts or both. If you are planning to take part, visit during practice times or buy a particular item, confirm the arrangements or availability with the group in advance.

For the broader travel overview: Tamale Municipal.