ABSTRACT
AKOKOASO is typical of numerous villages scattered throughout the cocoa belt in the forest country. The forest surrounds the village closely on all sides, tall forest trees towering above dense undergrowth, which is cut back for a short distance only from the outlying buildings. The village itself covers less than 30 acres, but the village lands, inexactly defined as yet owing to boundary disputes with neighbouring villages, comprise about 38 square miles, of which the actual cultivated area is about 3 square miles only. The communal bathing place is immediately downstream from the point where water is taken, and the men and the children usually take their bath. Women seldom use the communal bathing place except for washing clothes, but take their bath in the compound. Orthodox medical service has hardly as yet penetrated into the cocoa villages, but treatment is afforded by native midwives and “doctors” practising native medicine.
