GHANAIANS
Lizzy Hayes|Moritz
Honors World Cultures 10
THE BLACK STAR
Shown above is the
national flag of Ghana.
LOCATION
The Ghanaian population inhabits a small country consisting of
about 239,460 square kilometers. This area is called Ghana and
resides in the Golden Coast of Africa.
GHANA
Shown to the right is the country of
Ghana and its surrounding
countries.
LANGUAGE
In the Ghanaian culture, English is the official language of
government and business. But in the daily lives of Ghanaian people
more than 25 separate African languages can be spoken. The first
language of more than half of the population is Akan, but other
languages spoken by a great percent of people include Ewe, Ga,
Guan, and Gur.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Ghanaian culture originated when Soninke people of
Ouagadou (about 500 miles north of present day Ghana)
controlled the trading of gold mined near their kingdom.
Defending their wealthy nation was imperative to their culture. In
the Soninke language Ghana means “war chief”. This term
eventually came to describe the nation itself, in time the Ouagadou
kingdom became known as Ghana.
THE ASHANTI NATION
About 500 miles south of ancient Ghana resided the Ashanti
kingdom. In the 15th century it was uncovered that the Adanse
region where the Ashanti lived contained the most superior gold
fields than anywhere in Africa. The Akan people then began
trading gold with Muslims and in time the Europeans.
BRITISH RULE
In order to increase their control of the Ashanti nation, the British
waged war. By 1874 the British had defeated the Ashanti warriors
and burned down their capital, Kumase. To recover peace with the
British the Ashanti allowed them to control the Gold Coast.
WINNING INDEPENDENCE
The first pushes towards independence started in 1945 after
African soldiers had fought in both World War I & II, without
getting any pay or benefits after. For many years there had been
numerous tries for freedom. Finally on March 6th, 1957 Ghana had
freed itself from Great Britain.
GOVERNMENT
Ghanaians hold a stable constitutional democracy government.
Legalization of political parties occurred in 1992 and the nation
has played a key role in international peacekeeping efforts in
countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
ECONOMY
Ghana’s chief products are gold, timber, and cocoa. As the second
largest producers of gold and cocoa in Africa, Ghanaians mainly
trade with Nigeria, the Netherlands, China, the United Kingdom,
and France. The amount of Ghanaians living in poverty between
the years of 1991 to 2007 dropped by 23.2% due to how self
sufficient the country is in food.
RELATIONSHIPS
Greetings between Ghana’s different groups is imposed by custom.
Greetings should be granted and accepted in a certain way or it is
possible that conversation will not be commenced. If the proper
greeting is not given one can risk being branded “rude and
uncivilized.”
RELIGION
Within the Ghanaian culture Christianity is the most practiced
religion, although other religions are tolerated. Muslim and
indigenous beliefs are the other most popular faiths practiced
among the people of Ghana.
RITES OF PASSAGE
Throughout life there are many milestones for people of Ghanaian
culture. These ceremonies include a special naming ceremony for
newborn babies and many for adolescent girls. In the Ashanti and
Akan groups coming-of-age rites include gift giving, a hair cutting
ceremony, consumption of a ritual meal, and dispersal of food on
behalf of the girl.
NAMING RITUAL
Shown above is a more
modernized version of the
traditional Ghanaian naming
ritual.
LIVING CONDITIONS
In the city most of the family houses are one to two story buildings
made of cement, while in the richer suburbs there are large two
story houses bordered by walls and fruit trees. The older areas
contain houses made of mud and cement with zinc roofs. On
average five people live in a house in Ghana.
FAMILY LIFE
Extended family is typically the structure of Ghanaian kin. Descent
can be traced through a persons father or mother and has very
strong influences. The lineages keep track of marriages and offer
members a system of mutual assistance.
MARRIAGE
Ghanaians believe marriage is a family affair and involves the
whole family, not just two people. Approval from the family is
required for a marriage. A detailed set of gifts are also
obligatory from the prospective groom to the fiancée’s family.
WORK
In the Ghanaian community fishing is a key financial activity. Many
women and children plant, weed, and harvest crops for money,
while men carry out the heavy work. Manufacturing is slow growing
and includes; wood processing, food processing, textiles, brewing,
and distilling.
FISHING
Making up a large part of
Ghana’s economic stability, fishing
is vital to the whole community.
Pictured above are the brightly
painted canoes of the Ghanaian
fishermen.
SOCIAL ISSUES
Since the 1990s problems between Ghanaian ethnic groups have
eased slightly but are not completely resolved. Another problem
among the people of Ghana is child labor. Minimum age to work is
fifteen although a families necessity for higher income make
children work at a younger age.
ADULT CLOTHING
For daily wear Ghanaians can choose between “African or
Western-style” clothing.
 Women’s African style outfits include a “kaba” and “slit” which is a large
wrapping skirt with a corresponding blouse made from kente cloth. This
mode of dress is as acceptable as a business suit.
 Men’s African style is the fagu, a striped cotton shirt worn for ceremonial
occasions.
KENTE PATTERNS
Each kente design is distinctive and has a symbolic meaning. These
patterns can make known where a person is from and possibly tell
their social status. True kente cloth is hand-woven from cotton and
silk with sunny colors and geometrical designs. It is weaved in long
4 inch strips then sewn together to make large pieces of fabric.
TRADITIONAL DRESS
Some of the women in the picture
to the right are wearing
traditional kabas and slits in
different patterns.
YOUTH CLOTHING
All elementary, high school and college students wear uniforms
although teenage boys living in the city are seen wearing blue
jeans.
SCHOOL UNIFORMS
Pictured at the right are Ghanaian
school children in their uniforms.
FOOD
Traditional Ghanaian cuisine is very flavorful. Many spices such as
cayenne, allspice, curry and ginger are used on a regular basis.
There are many staple foods that are served with every meal,
including rice, millet, corn, cassava, yams, and plantains. Rural
Ghanaian people rarely eat western food.
GHANAIAN MEALS
To the right is a traditional
Ghanaian meal called plava
sauce. This dish is a spinach stew
that is usually eaten with chicken
or fish.
EDUCATION
Post independence, free education has been offered to all
children. Primary education is required and lasts for 6 years.
Secondary education lasts seven years and is not required. Rivalry
for attendance into the nations high schools and colleges is very
extreme. An entrance examination is put in place to weed out only
the best students.
CRAFTS AND HOBBIES
Ghanaians have a strong custom of arts and crafts. Some were
introduced as late as the 1960s and others have been practiced
for thousands of years. Batik is a form of dying/painting fabric
that was introduced in the 1960s. Others include pottery which has
been around for thousands of years, jewelry making, and kente
cloth weaving.
WEAVING
In the photograph to the right is a
Ghanaian girl weaving the
beautiful kente cloth of her tribe.
POTTERY
In the photo shown to the right a
Ghanaian woman is shown tending
to her pottery. The pots shown are
a round shape, indicating that the
women that made them were of
the Shai tribe.
RECREATION
When Ghanaians attend night clubs or parties they dance to
reggae, rhythm or blues music. Although dancing is a common
activity among the people of Ghana the most popular type of
entertainment in the costal communities is the concert party.
NIGHT LIFE
To the right is one of Ghana’s most
exclusive night clubs, Aphrodisiac. The
famous guests of this club are: Stevie
Wonder, Jay Z, Akon, and many others.
CONCERT PARTY
The concert party is a type of opera preformed in the Akan
language that rose in popularity after WW II. This form of
performance is made up of Akan performing arts inspired by
western music and drama. This affair opens at nine PM with
dancing and musicians, and ends with a play lasting until two or
three AM.
FOLKLORE
Ghanaian folktales have traditionally been spread by verbal
historians. Although, today many tales about Ghana’s numerous
ethnic group leaders are published in school history books. Folk
tale characters among the Akan and Guan speaking peoples
include the tortoise, hare, vulture, and crow. In rural villages,
storytelling is a very important recreational activity.
MAJOR HOLIDAYS
In the Ghanaian community there are four holidays that are widely
celebrated; Christmas, Damba, Independence Day, and Republic
Day. Christmas and Damba are both religious holidays which
celebrate the births of prophets. Ghana’s Independence day is on
March 6th, and their Republic Day is July 1st. Ghana’s government
sponsors parades through cities on these holidays.
INDEPENDENCE DAY TRADITIONS
Occasions to celebrate Ghana’s independence may start as early
as a week before March 6th. Independence day activities include
sporting events such as soccer, and some schools have gymnastic
presentations. Another big part of the festivities are fireworks,
much like in the United States. Other activities include cultural
displays and candle light processions.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
To the right are only few of the
many Ghanaian people
celebrating their independence.
INDEPENDENCE DAY CEREMONIES
Islam religious ceremonies are held the Friday after independence
day, being that Friday is the most holy day of the week for
Muslims. Christian churches hold independence day ceremonies as
well. National Thanksgiving Services are held the close out the
independence day festivities.
MUSIC & DANCE
Drums, horns, and stringed instruments have been a part of the
Ghanaian culture for hundreds of years. Traditional drumming and
dances are important in Ghana’s festivities through out the year.
Music and dancing throughout streets make up a large part of
independence day merriments.
GHANAIAN DRUMS
Music is a very large part of
Ghanaian culture, especially the
drums. Shown to the right is a
traditional Ghanaian drum with its
drummers standing around it.
OTHER TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS
Besides the drums there are many other traditional instruments in
the Ghanaian Culture. The xylophone is very popular in the music
of the northern groups, while others include rattles like the shekere,
bamboo flutes, and single note trumpets.
TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS
Above is the traditional West
African stringed instruments
called the kora, and its female
player referred to as a griot.
MUSICIANS & WRITERS
As one of West Africa’s most cherished musicians and traditional
music specialists J.H. Kwabena Nketia builds his current
arrangements around traditional Ghanaian music. Renowned
Ghanaian writers include: playrights Efua Sutherland and Joe
Graft, novelist Ayi Kwei, and poet Kofi Awoonor.
J.H. KWEABENA NKETIA
To the right is a picture of
modernized traditional Ghanaian
tunes, J.H. Kweadena Nketia
alongside one of his album covers.
SPORTS
Ghana’s most popular sport is none other than soccer. Each major
city funds at least one professional team and a stadium. Ghana’s
national team is the Black Stars and is made up of the greatest
players from each of the smaller city-wide teams. It is very typical
to see teenage boys or men contending in their own soccer
matches.
THE BLACK STARS
To the right is Ghana’s national
soccer team, The Black Stars.
GHANAIAN CULTURE IN AMERICA
The traditional woven clothes, leather bags, beaded jewelry,
stunningly carved masks and stools, and cocoa products identified
with the Ghanaian culture can be purchased in many large
American cities. Some African Americans, to celebrate their
heritage, decorate their graduation gowns with scarves of kente
cloth made by Asante weavers.
WORKS CONSULTED
“Ghana: Country Overview.” World Geography: Understanding a Changing World.
ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 27 May 2013.
"Ghana HomePage, resource for News, Sports, Facts, Opinions, Business and
Entertainment." Ghana HomePage, resource for News, Sports, Facts, Opinions,
Business and Entertainment. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 July 2013.
<http://www.ghanaweb.com>.
“Ghana.” Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Holidays. Ed. Robert H. Griffin
and Ann H. Shurgin. Vol. 3. Detroit: UXL, 2000. 279-289. Gale Virtual
Reference Library. Web. 27 May 2013.
“Ghanaians.” Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Cultures. Ed. Timothy L. Gall
and Susan Bevan Gall. Vol. 4. Detroit: UXL, 1999. 9-16. Gale Virtual
Reference Library. Web. 27 May 2013.
Groelsema, Robert. “Ghana.” Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices. Ed.
Thomas Riggs. Vol. 2: Countries: A-L. Detroit: Gale, 2006. 406-412. Gale
Virtual Reference Library. Web. 27 May 2013.