21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Sognaayili's Gossip Girls

It's a very important day in the history of the remote village Sognaayili, Northern Region, Ghana. Their new chief is getting appointed. The event is going on the entire day. All the inhabitants of the village and the neighboring villages come outside, gather in the heat of Ghana's striking sun, to see who their new chief is. The chief arrives on a horse, and walks through several villages, until he arrives in His village. People follow him, or they wait on the side of the road for him. In this photo we have a group of women (30+) of all ages pictured. They are standing on the side of road, behind a small mural, eagerly waiting for their new chief to arrive. You can see them talking about, and gazing, at the new chief!

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Sognaayili, Ghana
Camera: ILCE-7M4
Copyright: © Cynthia Hofmann