Animals:domesticated

In the smaller towns and villages of northern Ghana, most households keep some domesticated animals for food,as a security against harder times and for gifts to be offered for weddings and funerals. During the dry, non- growing season, most animals are un-tethered and roam, "free range", although everyone knows who each animal belongs to.

Wandering past my house each day and night will be:

goats-this picture was taken when the maize was ripening, and shows the destruction goats cause if let loose. Most of the time, goats appear to have great fun, running around, eating, and following their reputedly lusty goat instincts.-;

ducks-mother and ducklings take a bath, though as water becomes scarce, the ducks  follow the retreating water;

fowl-(chickens)- this one sprayed a rather fetching shade of pink for easy identification;

guinea fowl-surprisingly noisy creatures;

pigs-this one is almost camouflaged as it sleeps in the welcome shadow of  hollowed out tree roots, within a dried stream bed- pigs are also extremely noisy when running around and when eating, somewhat disturbing when awakened in the small hours by strange sounds immediately outside my bedroom window.

Market trading- animals are bought and sold live at local markets- every third day is a market day. The trading is always done by men. (photo-internet) Meat from many animal sources is popular- in addition to fowl, goat, cow, pig, available also dog and "bush meat" which covers any animal not domesticated.

How to transport a live animal- my friend Fati demonstrates. A goat can be secured within a basket or large bowl and fastened to the back of the moto.