Nothing without kola

However, kola-nut farming has not been without challenges. In 1983, Ghana faced severe wildfires as a result of climate change, devastating farms across the country. These fires destroyed countless kola-nut plantations, contributing to a great famine that year. Acheampong recalls the profound loss this caused for his family and other farmers. 

But today, he has hope. Acheampong has recently learned that kola nuts are also used to make tie-dye fabrics. He’s decided to clear a portion of his land to start a kola-nut nursery, with a renewed focus on cultivating kola nuts as a primary crop, rather than just using them to support other types of produce.

Farming families in the region are resilient. In fact, family is vital in sustaining agricultural livelihoods and traditions. Acheampong’s mother, Ashietu Seidu, is a pillar of support on the farm, while Mary, who is married to Prince Acheampong, cultivates coffee, pepper and other crops.

Trade and tradition

After harvest, kola nuts are transported to bustling markets, like this one in Langbinsi, Northern Ghana.

Traders – many of whom are women – carefully sort the nuts by colour, size and quality, and engage in lively exchanges.

Kola nuts, alongside other crops, serve as an important source of income for many families.

In ancient times, kola nuts were used as a type of currency in Northern Ghana, similar to a coin or a cowrie (a small shiny shell that was used as money in the past in parts of Africa and Asia). They were essential for purchasing land and property, and were presented as gifts on important occasions, like visiting elders.

Kola nuts are still given today as a gesture to inspire action and motivate the recipient.

The protective powers of kola nut

The community of Boayini is nestled in Northern Ghana’s Walewale district. Here the kola nut (known as ‘gori’ in Mampruli) is a cornerstone of tradition, healthcare and daily life.

It’s believed to have protective powers for spiritual and mental health too.

Many people think chewing kola nuts before leaving home wards off bad luck or misfortune. It gives them confidence to navigate the challenges of daily life.

Abiba Duut is 115 years old. In her early teens, Abiba says she encountered two spirits who were twins. She explains that only she could see them, which made the spirits anxious. They then attacked her, leaving marks on her arm.

Abiba says that a local spiritualist advised her to always carry kola nut to prevent the spirits from attacking her again.

Ceremonies and rituals

In Boayini, kola nuts are offered as a sign of respect. At weddings, for instance, kola nuts are presented to both families who take a symbolic bite of unity and acceptance, similar to how Tani Tia is in the portrait below.

They are also important at funerals and are given to people tasked with burying the deceased; the gesture is believed to bring peace to the spirit of the departed and harmony to the living.

An important part of any ritual is purifying the kola nuts: cleanliness is key, so they are washed properly before consumption.

Traditional pots are used for storing kola nuts. They can be preserved with sand and water. The ones pictured here have been preserved in the chief’s banquet hall for extended periods. It is ceremoniously brought out during traditional gatherings.

Resolving conflict with kola

This is a portrait of Lanbon Kwabena, the Chief of Boayini, as he sits in his palace consuming kola nut. He is dressed in a smock referred to locally as ‘fugu’, and there is traditional kente cloth in the background.

Elders gather in the chief’s palace to share kola nut and converse. The portrait on the right is of a revered elder called Yakubu Gumah. He is adorned in full regalia with his hat straightened upwards – a distinctive style reserved for occasions involving the chief.

One such occasion is when there is conflict: the community chief will mediate disputes by breaking a kola nut and sharing it among the disputing parties.

This is a dispute settlement between two elders. Kola nut is shared among community members in the presence of the chief. The spirit of sharing fosters a sense of togetherness, which in turn helps the community reach a mutual understanding and reconciliation. This is a simple yet profound act and is central to their cultural practices.

From the north to the south of Ghana, and across the African continent, kola nuts are consumed daily and are also woven into social and spiritual practices. They are a central part of life for people. This is reflected in a well-known Ghanaian saying: "Everything with kola nut, nothing without kola nut.”