Blog
final minutes
The baggage check people had me shift weight from the checked bags to the carry ons so they were underweight, then the woman at the counter had me shfit it back so that my carryon was the appropriate size. I think they all enjoyed watching me drag books and fabric and underwear around. At least they didnt charge me!
I’m leaving Ghana momentarily. So sad to be going. Here are some last favorites.
i and i
Ghana takes silver
A few days ago Ghana played the semifinal against Nigeria. A friend spent several hours erecting this antennae on his neighbors roof the day before to ensure he would have reception for the big game.
Ghana won that day, and today played against Egypt for the African Cup of Nations, a competition that has gripped the continent for weeks now. The game was beautifully played, but in the last ten minutes we let them sneak a goal in. There was not enough time to make amends, and Ghana lost the gold to Egypt, who is winning for a record 3rd year in a row. Our team is young, 7 starters were not playing, but there was still great hope in Ghana that we would be partying seriously tonight. Alas.
sunday outfits in lapaz
My two favorite billboards in accra show you what all the founding fathers of african unity look like.
xmas boy
cargo girls/load carriers
If you are a woman of certain means in Ghana, and you find that in your shopping on a given day your purchases have exceeded what you can easily carry, never fear. for a few coins you can hire another woman (or girl) to carry your things in a large tin bowl on her head. She will follow you around the market, enduring brain crushing weight while you flaunt your wealth by stopping to chat as often as possible. she will rush through traffic behind you and accepts whatever payment you offer her.
Ghana Street Fashion
Recent gems:
the Xmas II
Remaining images from Saru, Northern Region, Ghana. Land of mud, homemade booze, and plenty xylophone.
Saru during the dry season, just after the corn has been harvested.
Crops are stored on the roof and in round granaries that open onto the roof. This small garden currently has a few tobacco plants growing.
The compound is set up so there is always shade somewhere. This resting platform is sometimes the place. It is very very comfortable and the logs and soft and smooth from wear.
Gillian and I slept in the modern cinder block house.
We took a walk down to the shore of the Black Volta, where women were washing clothes and a ferryman brough people across. On the other side is Burkina Faso, and Burkinabe people doing similar things.
Termiterrium. These are everywhere and can easily be ten feet tall.
This is a fruiting Chorisia tree, familiar to those in Southern California. In Ghana there are two types, one that grows low and has edible fruit, and one that grows tall and has fruit with soft cotton inside. I had never tried the fruit and it is great! Also beehives here, people use the honey, yes.
We visited the home of Ben, on the left here, a local teacher and warm intelligent man. These old timers enjoyed shots of Apateshie (local gin made from sugar) with us. The man with the white beard says he is 120.
Apateshie all around! Two shots and I was far gone. The man behind me in the red cap is GBC, our gracious host. His nephew Isaac sitting next to me also took very good care of us. Everyone in this photo and basically everyone in Saru is related. I’m told its very hard to find a wife.
Then we had to race home for turkey slaughtering. The balloon is actually the turkey’s stomach, a popular toy with small kids here.
the Xmas
As its called here, was spent in remote northern Ghana, in the town of Wa and the area surrounding it. A marvelous time was had. check it out.
The crowd at the bus station on Kumasi where we changed buses.
Spacious stall.
Maybe a fufu pounder for christmas for your wives?
This mortuary man who loiters at CC Charles’ bar in Wa had quite a thing for this tigernut selling lady. Tigernuts are supposed to make men virile. They taste like uncooked sweet corn and look like weevils.
Christmas morn.
I will never blend in here…
Apiteshi, a local gin.
Malachite kingfisher
G and K ride in style
meat
more meat
A selection of turkeys were herded to use so we could choose one. We found a fat one and I carried him home.
We attended two funerals while travelling through the Lobi area around Saru. Lots of people wailing and dancing to xylophone under big trees.
This is the family compound of GBC, where we stayed in Saru. GBC stands for Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, because he talks too much.
These are the graves of Kakraba Lobi and his brother Domachee, both renowned xylophonists. In front of the two graves sits a xylophone which is underground except for the slats. This is usually being played by someone, from tiny child to skilled adult. I even heard the chickens walking across.
The whole time we were in Saru the women were processing shea nuts into butter. It is a long and arduous process, but fascinating and so worth it. Maryanne you would have lost your mind. Village price is 1 ghana cedi for around 500 ml. Here Gillian attempts double pounding the raw nuts.
Ok, tons more to show, I’ll post more in the next few days. Happy new year to all from Osei - Duro!