The People and Culture of Ghana

Akwaaba! is the greeting to welcome you to Ghana -- a country of 18 million people and over 60 ethnic groups (and homeland of former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan). Nearly half of the society decended from the Akans, a tribe which includes the famous Ashanti people. Akan, a "pure" heritage, is one of the most ancient cultures in Africa. These African people live predominately in the countries of Ghana and Ivory Coast with many descendants now living in Europe and the USA. Before the 13th century, the Akan peoples migrated from other parts of Africa into the forest belt of present-day Ghana. Family bands established small states in the hilly country in the neighborhood of modern Kumasi. This early migration was likely related to the opening of trade routes established to move gold throughout the region. It was not until the end of the 17th century, however, that the grand Asante Kingdom emerged in the central forest region of Ghana, when several small states united under the Chief of Kumasi.

The Ashanti tribe is the largest tribe in Ghana, and one of the few matrilineal societies in West Africa. Ashanti kings retained figurehead status after colonization, and even today great pride in the Ashanti King lives on in the tradition of the Golden Stool. The Ashanti are noted for their expertise in a variety of specialized crafts. These include weaving, wood carving, ceramics, the reknown kente cloth and metallurgy. Of these crafts, only pottery-making is primarily a female activity; the others are restricted to male specialists. Even in the case of pottery-making, only men are allowed to fashion pots or pipes. The language is very rich in proverbs, the use of which is taken to be a sign of wisdom. Euphemisms are very common, especially about events connected with death. Rather than say "the King has died", one would say "a mighty tree has fallen."

Other tribes of the Accra Plains include the people of Shai, La, Ningo, Kpone, Osudoku, Krobo, Gbugble, and Ada, who speak different dialects. The Ga also include the Ga-Mashie groups occupying neighborhoods in the central part of Accra, and other Gaspeakers who migrated from Akwamu, Anecho in Togo, Akwapim, and surrounding areas.

Named after the medieval Ghana Empire of West Africa (the title of the kings who ruled the kingdom), the original name of the empire was "Wagadugu." Some ancestral links for present-day Ghanaians date back to the country formally called the Gold Coast. The Portuguese, who came to Ghana in the 15th Century, found so much gold between the rivers Ankobra and the Volta that they named the place Mina - meaning Mine. The Gold Coast was later colonized by England. The British set out to make the Gold Coast a showcase African nation, allowing few Europeans to settle or work there. Cocoa exports became the backbone of the economy, followed by gold, timber, manganese, bauxite and diamonds. By WWI, the Gold Coast was the most prosperous colony in Africa, with the best schools and civil service, a cadre of enlightened lawyers and a thriving press. Still, anti-British sentiments ran deep. In 1957, after a period of internal self-government, the Gold Coast became the first African colony to achieve independence under the charismatic leadership of Kwame Nkrumah.

Village Life: Most families in Ghana are employed in subsistence agriculture, and those living along the coast are fishermen. There are 52 major languages and hundreds of dialects in Ghana, although English is primarily spoken. Many Ghanaian adults speak various dialects, demonstrating greate linguistic skill. The village is a social and cultural unit, with music a large part of everyday life. Three main types of music are enjoyed in Ghanaian villages: ethnic or traditional music, normally played during festivals and at funerals; "highlife" music, which is a blend of traditional and "imported" music; and choral music, which is performed in concert halls, churches, schools and colleges.

All community members, young and old, participate in the major ceremonies, the most frequent of which are funeral celebrations, typically lasting several days. Attendance at funerals is normally expected from everyone in the village and expenditure on funerals is a substantial part of the household budget. The Ancestors (Nananom) -- senior family members that are no longer living -- remain active in village life, supporting the well-being of the family. Africa in general, and Ghana in particular, place much emphasis on communal values like extended family, nuclear family, respect for the elderly, honoring traditional rulers like chiefs and elders, and the importance of dignity and proper social conduct. What one person does is seen as having impact on his/her entire family, social group and community; therefore, everyone is expected to be careful, respectful, dignified and observant in every public setting and aspect of life.

Customs are passed on through the generations. For instance, parents still often name their children according to the day of the week on which they were born. Customary leaders (chiefs) have historical authority over tribal and family matters, and customary lands. Child naming, puberty initiations, marriage and death are marked by family ceremonies. Seasonal festivals bring a whole people or clan together in spectacular fashion.