Calling On My Gonja, Ashanti, Nzema, Ewe, Fanti, Ga, Krobo Kinfolk!

With the Thanksgiving holiday fast approaching in the United States, as is customary, stories of Native Americans and the Pilgrims are being narrated for students across the nation. During these times, students are encouraged by the faculty to share tales of their respective (foreign) backgrounds; i.e., traditions, beliefs, and the integral roles they play in the lives of the indigenous. This year, one of said students is my thirteen-year-old niece, Adwoa.

As the only pupil of Ghanaian descent in her seventh grade class, Adwoa has been tasked to illuminate the minds of her peers about her native Ghana. Though Adwoa was born in America and has visited Ghana only twice, she has a love for the latter that is quite refreshing! While visiting my family in Virginia, Adwoa excitedly “dragged” me to her room and showed me the traditional garb she will wear for her presentation, along with Ghanaian artifacts. In addition, Adwoa submitted to me what she had written about Ghana and asked for my thoughts.

I perused through Adwoa’s well-written story and remarked:”It’s nice but I think a multi-cultural exhibition will have broader appeal. Our country is blessed with a myriad of ethnic groups and numerous languages, so you do not want to limit yourself to Ashantis alone”. I enumerated some of the groups for Adwoa and added: “If you present only the story of the Ashantis, your mates will get the impression that Ghana consists of a lone ethnicity. Adwoa then replied: “Auntie, I am allotted only thirty-five minutes for the presentation – there won’t be enough time to tell everyone’s story”.

I pondered over Adwoa’s conundrum and advised: “Randomly select four ethnic groups and learn a bit about them. During the presentation, spend seven minutes on each group – provide a brief history and accentuate their traditions. Then use your remaining time to expand on why, in your view, the diverse cultures make Ghanaians unique”. With a grin, Adwoa enthused: “That sounds a lot more interesting; thanks, Auntie”. “You’re welcome, Sweety!” I beamed. “This is so exciting!” Adwoa exclaimed as she scurried off while I stood there and basked in (foolish) pride.

Adwoa returned minutes later armed with a portable tape-recorder and a notepad. She pressed “Record” on the mini device and she eagerly stated: “Okay, I am ready”. With a proverbial pin in my balloon, I stated: “Oh, I figured you would consult your Grandma as you did before, Ghanaians of her generation are superb oral historians”. Adwoa then complained: “In my previous sessions with Grandma, she had no regard for my limited time; thus, she was elaborative in her storytelling. Grandma cannot be concise so it would be better if you told me the stories; let’s start with the Krobos”, Adwoa requested as she scribbled on her notepad.

Moments later, realizing that her Aunt was struggling with the request, Adwoa disappointedly queried: “You cannot tell me about them?” You said I should present Ghana’s diverse groups but you cannot tell me their histories and customs, Auntie?” “Of course, I can, Sweety; don’t be ridiculous”, I replied with nervous laughter. “It’s just that I have a women’s discussion panel to attend in an hour so my mind is kind of elsewhere; hence I am having trouble concentrating”, I fibbed. “Next week, I will pay you a special visit and delve into the tapestry of Ghana’s cultures. Adwoa accepted my explanation and said that she will wait for me. Guilt-ridden and prideless, I shortened my visit and went home.

I consulted Google hoping to find historic facts and traditions of the ethnic groups that I had little to no knowledge of. Call it my “Sankofa!” moment, if you will. I gathered facts pertaining to the major ethnic groups, along with the sub-groups that piqued my interest. Mindful of inaccuracies that tend to plague Wikipedia and the likes, I grew skeptical of the details discovered thusly abandoning my search on Google. Instead, I decided to tap into the brains (and hearts) of Ghanaian patriots everywhere using a powerful tool – Ghanaweb.com. So, here I am, in search of knowledge of my Ghanaian kinfolk for my niece (and myself).

My Ghanaian brethren of Bono, Nzema, Denkyira, Gonja, Ga-Adangbe, Fanti, Nanumba, Nzema, Kulango, Akuapem, Nafana, Ashanti, Mumprusi, Larteh, Ewe, Kwahu, Sewfi, and all other ethnic origins, respectively; please share with me aspects of your heritage that you would want presented to the “world”. So that I, in turn, can assist my eager to learn niece enlighten her schoolmates about the multifaceted-cultures in the nation we all call home – Maame Ghana!

Of course, you do not have to belong to a certain ethnic group in order to regale us with their stories. If, for example, you are of Denkyira descent but possess vast knowledge of the history and customs of the Kulangos, then I implore you to not confine yourself to highlighting only your Denkyira heritage. Likewise, if you hail from Gonja but are well versed in the traditions and beliefs of the Lartehs, then please do not focus only on your Gonja lineage. I think discerning minds get the point I am making here.

As mentioned earlier, due to time constraints Adwoa will choose only four ethnic groups out of the many, but do not let that dissuade you. For, even if your respective heritage is not chosen for the presentation, the lessons you provide today will not be in vain. You would have collectively imparted in Adwoa knowledge about a people who, though may differ in their traditions and beliefs, share a commonality. I thank you in advance for helping my niece present to her peers her sense of Ghanaian pride, as opposed to her (Ashanti) ethnic pride!

Lola, Washington, DC.