Is it a Kapok Tree?
West Africa 2001
Large trees surrounded the small fields of the village in Northern Ghana. The villagers, who live much of their lives outdoors, would do chores like millet-pounding in the huge circle of shade.
Baobab Tree and Sudanese Mosque
Behind this Baobab tree, you can see the typical pinnacles of a Sudanese style mosque. The tree and the mosque could be seen for miles, beacons for the village which was an oasis in the Sahara. Camels ridden by boys hauled leather satchels of water from the deep well for passing caravans.
The lower part of the Baobab tree has been stripped of bark to make rope, perhaps the very rope that is used to haul the water. If the fruit of the Baobab had been ripe, its powdery center could have been added to the well water to make a drink something like lemonade.
The branches of the Baobab resemble roots and many Africans believe the tree grows upside down. I must admit I found the Baobab fascinating.
Click here to read more about the Baobab: http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/adansondigit.htm