The first couple of weeks have been a rich immersion in Ghanaian customs and lifestyle; starting with learning some twi, cooking local dishes (!) and of course, taking tro-tros to local markets in the city. This was also an important part of the research, familiarizing with the environment meeting market sellers and chatting about their routine.
I remember meeting a merchant in Madina who was the first to teach me that people's name here correspond to the day they were born (with small variations according to their ethnic group). Because he was Akan and born on a friday, his name is Kofi. Our conversation gathered quite a curious crowd, but my attention was caught by a seemingly heated argument two ladies were having not too far from us about Dumsor - the persistent, irregular and unpredictable electric power outages that silence the city every so often. Both were outraged at this situation and its implication on Ghanaian economy, but one seemed rather hopeful that Mahamma's big new-year promise might bring a change to this country. As an Obruni foreigner, it's not always easy being integrated in the 'real-stuff' discussions, so I laid quiet to watch the scene. Then Kofi leaned over and spoke of the NDC and the NPP opposition. "Here - he says - it's always good knowing who supports what.."
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| Mr Gunku, playing Bakita at the Craft Center |
I remember meeting a merchant in Madina who was the first to teach me that people's name here correspond to the day they were born (with small variations according to their ethnic group). Because he was Akan and born on a friday, his name is Kofi. Our conversation gathered quite a curious crowd, but my attention was caught by a seemingly heated argument two ladies were having not too far from us about Dumsor - the persistent, irregular and unpredictable electric power outages that silence the city every so often. Both were outraged at this situation and its implication on Ghanaian economy, but one seemed rather hopeful that Mahamma's big new-year promise might bring a change to this country. As an Obruni foreigner, it's not always easy being integrated in the 'real-stuff' discussions, so I laid quiet to watch the scene. Then Kofi leaned over and spoke of the NDC and the NPP opposition. "Here - he says - it's always good knowing who supports what.."
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