Ghana is a culturally diverse, beautiful land.
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Ghana
is a small English-speaking country in West Africa, surrounded by the
French-speaking countries of Togo, Burkina Faso and Cote D'Ivoire. About
the size of Oregon with a population of around 20,000,000 people, most of
Ghana's citizens are subsistence farmers.
There are 10 different regions in Ghana defined by different cultural groups. In the North, there are three regions: the Upper West, the Upper East and the Northern Region. In the Central part of Ghana, the regions are Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and Volta. In the South, the regions are Central, Eastern, Western and Greater Accra.
The largest, but by no means most influential cultural group in Ghana, are the Akan people, who can be further subdivided into several different groups. The Ashanti people are famous for their history and arts. They are known for Kente cloth, gold, and the Ashanti symbol of power, the stool. Another artistic expression that has become world renowned originating in the Akan culture is the Adinkra symbol.
The Frafra, or Gurunsi people, live in Northern Ghana and Southern Burkina Faso, but colonial borders divided the cultural group into French and English speaking areas. Bolgatanga, the capital of the Upper East Region and surrounding areas, is home to many of the Frafra people. It is also the home base of Tro Tro Trading Company. Handicraft coming from here includes Bolga baskets, leatherworks, Shea butter and carvings, including masks.
The Eastern region is home to the Krobo people. This cultural group performs an annual right of passage for girls moving into womanhood that involves draping them in beads and ceremony. Beads are widely made in this area using recycled glass in a variety of different colors and designs.
Although
English is the colonial language, there are over 75 different regional
languages spoken in Ghana. Twi is the most common language of the Ashanti
Region, although dialects of Twi are spoken in the Western, Central and
Eastern regions, and in Greater Accra. The Ga people of Greater Accra also
speak Ga. Ewe is spoken primarily in the Volta Region. There are many
languages spoken in the Northern Regions, from Dagbane to Frafra and all
the dialects therein. In The Upper West Region, Walla is one of the
primary languages.
The colorful, busy markets and open friendly people make Ghana an exciting and wonderful place. The hospitality that one receives is overwhelming and heartening. In the rural areas, life is slow and sweet. The days are filled with tasks like hand washing, fetching water, cooking and talking, which is just fine. Children are full of curiosity and energy. Materialism has a whole new definition in Ghana than in the United States.
Ghana, while small, is big when it comes to diversity. It is not easy to cover all the different areas and peoples of this wonderful country. For more information, visit these web sites.
LINKS
Wikipedia: User made encyclopedia
