Weavy Wonder

Kumasi is the region of the Ashanti Empire's historic centre where one can find handwoven kente, single, double and triple weave.

Hip Hop and Island Hop

Thursday ~ The Baze, Oxford Strip: We took students to the Baze on the Oxford Strip of Accra for a night of live hippity hoppity and traditional Ghanaian music. Here are the four mentors shaping young minds and embarrassing them like parents chaperoning the prom. 
Sunday ~ Dodi Island: We cruised to Dodi Island that locals say has absolutely no cultural significance. It was lovely none the less.

Island tour guide 

Breakdancing?

Cooking Class #1: Palm nut soup

I learned how to make palm nut soup, one of my favorite Ghanaian dishes, at our service site. I now share my knowledge with you.

Step 1: Smash palm nuts.

Step 2: Make palm nut soup. Enjoy!

Stay tuned for how to prepare grilled grasscutter (AKA possum). 

The Things They Carried Parte Deux

Biscuits 

Icecream
Cleaning supplies
More eggs

The Things They Carried

Culinary accoutrements

Raw eggs
Hard-boiled eggs

Assorted nuts

Bananas

Mancona School

The man who opened the Mancona School in rural Tema said that he had a dream in which he was told to open a school. Even though he himself was poor, he followed through and now, almost 100 rural students (ages 5-12) attend.

Cape Coast Slave Fort

Over the course of 150 years, some 3 million Africans were shackled and shipped into slavery from this notorious slave port. We entered the dank dungeons and cells reserved for defiant slaves where you can still see the scratch marks slaves made and left behind on the walls.

This door leading from the dungeons to the boats was coined "the Door of No Return" because it was here that slaves would catch their last glimpse of their motherland before being shipped off across the ocean.

On the other side of the door is a chaotic port for fishing boats. The air was so thick, wet and smoky it felt like I was getting waterboarded (aside: why does spell check pick up "waterboard"?). The children and vendors selling fish out of baskets balanced on their heads virtually ignored us.

Someone hid this in the completely dark corner of one of the dungeons. I only saw it because someone accidentally kicked it.

Click here for NYT article about Obama's visit to the slave fort during his time here at the Cape Coast of Ghana.

A Walk in the Clouds: Kakum National Park Canopy Walk

There are signs all around you that Jesus is here!

The southern coastal region of Ghana is predominantly of the straight up Pentacostal Bible-banging variety. Who knew?!

It seems that Ghanaians are fond of proclaiming their religious affiliation through their hats off to God locale-naming practices. Here are the top best store names we've found:

11. God's Appointed Time Beauty Salon

10. Anointed Hands Beauty Salon 

9. Proverbs 10:22 Entertainment

8. God's Unmerited Favour Annex

7. God is Able Restaurant

6. God's Image Steel Works

5. Thy Will Be Done Bus Service

4. Holy Ghost Manicures

3. God With Us Cold Store (what's a cold store, anyway?)

2. Not I, but Christ Hardware Store

1. If you Do not Praise me, then do not Spoil my Name . . . Store.

The Baracking of Africa

The day after my own debut in West Africa, Obama arrived to Ghana and electrified the often electricity-deficient coast. Due to my jet lag induced amnesia, I had actually forgotten that he'd be coming. Now, Ghana is making sure that no one ever forgets.

 

 

I bet you didn't know it was Africa we are to thank for him. Thank you, Africa.

Come to school on time and don't forget your machete!

Scenes from the 8th grade class we are working with in Udumasi Krobo. 

Teaching me how to dance all African-y.

C'mon, baby, let's do the Congo

Students from the Hermann Gmeiner School visited to perform local dances for us. The influence that African dance has had on latin dance and hiphop was unmistakable. Chris Brown, not only are you a misogynist, your dance moves are completely unoriginal. So, there. Think about that while you're on house arrest.


They closed their presentation with a tribute to Michael Jackson (the late MJ) consisting of spoken word and a dramatic interpretation of "Heal the World."