Baobab tree - Adansonia Digitata
The Baobab is found in the savannas of Africa, Madagascar, Australia and parts of the Caribbean, mostly around the equator. It can grow up to 25 meters tall and can live for hundreds of years. One legend of the Baobab is that "the devil plucked up the Baobab, thrust its branches into the earth and left its roots in the air".
The Baobab is leafless for nine months of the year. In the wet months water is stored in its thick trunk for the dry months ahead. The Baobab's bark, leaves, fruit, and trunk can all be used. The bark of the
Baobab is used for cloth and rope, the leaves for condiments and medicines. The Baobab has large white flowers which open at night and are pollinated by fruit bats. The fruit - often called monkey bread can be roasted and ground to make a coffee like drink and also can be crushed and mixed with water to make "African lemonade"
The Baobab is often the central feature in a village and is the place where the village elders gather for meetings in the shade.
Wumbe showing a Baobab seed pod and the seeds inside
The Baobab tree in the picture on the banner is in a village called Singha - across the White Volta in the North of Ghana, or “overseas” as it is called in the south. The people here are Dagomba Sabla and speak Dagbani. Under the shade of the giant Baobab is where we meet with Chief Zakaria and the elders.
And Albert have been working with this village for a number of years to try and improve the lifestyle and health needs of the people living there.
Up until two years ago the ladies of the village had to walk 7 miles each way to the river to collect water. This water was contaminated and many of the villagers were sick. The recent digging of two new wells has seen the disease rate drop from around 93% down to around 4% in just over a year. We were told some of the elders still prefer to drink the river water as they think the water from the well tastes salty.
Baobab Seed Pod Baobab Leaves Baobab in full Leaf
There are eight different species of Baobab, six of which are only found in Madagascar. There is one in Australia and just one in Africa. Although the lack of rings (many old Baobabs are hollow) makes it difficult to tell for certain, it is possible some are up to 1000 years old.
Baobab on the road to Nawuni Baobab in Vai
Baobab at Kotu in full leaf Baobab in Singha
