The Top 7 Things I Miss From My Summer in Ghana

During this summer I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Africa! I participated in a fellowship through my school, titled “Lagim Tehi Tuma”, which translates to Thinking Together in the native language of Dagbani, central to the village of Dalun where I stayed. Although my cohort and I experienced Accra for a few days after landing, it is Dalun where we spent most of our time, located in Northern Ghana. Throughout the summer I taught at a primary school and worked on independent projects. As such, I learned so much about Ghanaian culture, and was exposed to a way of life that I had never envisioned. Here’s a list of some pretty cool things that I miss…

1. Eating food with yes, my hands.

Eating makes me happy. Always using proper utensils like forks and knives and spoons sometimes spoils the occasion. In Ghana there is a much more direct route from the food to the mouth that is preferred—your hands. While it is optional, I can’t even imagine eating traditional dishes like Fufu with utensils. There are variations of Fufu across Africa, but I usually experienced a cassava and plantain based starch served with something like a groundnut stew in Ghana. You use your right hand (left hand is inappropriate!) to tear off a piece, roll it, and dip before eating. It works, and it tastes pretty good too!

2. Biscuits, biscuits, and more biscuits.

I don’t know if you’ve ever tasted this before, but it’s insanely good. Not the type of biscuits you would expect in America, they might actually be better. Perk makes these milk shortcake biscuits that you can find almost anywhere in Ghana at an affordable price. They are addicting, a balance of crunchy on the outside with the ability to melt in your mouth. When I was hungry and needed a late night snake they were there for me, and when I was homesick they comforted me. Needless to say, I stuffed as many as I could in my suitcase!

3. Heated negotiations at the market.

Although I was informed I would have to bargain for deals at the market, I never expected the reality the consumer experiences in Ghana. The price of an item is rarely ever set. If you pick out, for example, a dashiki that is priced too high for what you can or are willing to pay, it is up to your sole efforts to get the price down. The more you buy, the easier it is to negotiate. Rather than just a dashiki, I would end up leaving with beautiful embroidered bracelets, tailored ankle bracelets, crafty drums or elephant figurines (the amount of specialized skill is amazing). Although I would often receive inflated prices based on my status as a foreigner, it was humbling to consider how through these sales was how some people were able to support themselves and their families. As I became more experienced with negotiating, it was even kind of fun. Be prepared to share jokes and laughter with vendors as you browse!

4. African beats!

The music is dope, and always makes you feel like moving. Friends were always singing this popular song of the summer by Ataaka called “Ceasar” that is really catchy. “Give it to Ceaser, what belongs to Ceaser”. Well, anyway, I can just attach a link to the song if you want to check it out. Spotify has a playlist up too, that allows me to reminisce when I feel like experiencing a little rejuvenation.

http://www.norghamusic.com/ataaka-caesar/

5. Riding motorbikes all day, every day.

It’s not half as scary as I thought it would be, and it’s the major mode of transportation in certain parts of Ghana. The wind blowing in your face is a rush that I will never forget!

6. Live, and I mean live, church services.

It got pretty hype at church, particularly during worship. There were no recordings played. We sung and danced and clapped and praised from the soul, and it felt as if my faith was coming from deep within. It was definitely one of the highlights of my experience.

7. The people.

It is certainly not like New York City, where you walk by so many people each day without a word or a smile. Yes, I’ve returned to that now, it’s how I’ve been socialized, but in Dalun it is completely different. It is offensive not to greet when you walk by someone, so knowing the variations depending on whether it is morning, afternoon, or night was key. The entire community embraced the cohort I traveled with—they welcomed us with large and open arms. Shout out to all the children who allowed me to become a part of their lives! It was so much fun, and subsequently so heartbreaking, for me to leave!