Sankofa – Reach Back and Get It
Journey to my Past
I haven’t been in hiding, I’ve been preparing a special surprise for all you Growers. I realize time waits for no woman however, so let us talk!
After two days of traveling, my arrival at the Kotoka International Airport was surreal. No one but me heard the drums welcoming me home. Ghana is Kingstown times 1 billion and I fit right in! Looking Ghanaian has its advantages, I blend in and walk around unnoticed like anyone else. That feels cool until you’re yelled at in Twi haha.
- ACCRA!
I may not look it but I sure love to eat! Everyone is amazed that I eat cocoyams (aka Dasheen), Kotomire (callalou) and Banku (wangu/cou-cou). I’ve been eating all of the above including green bananas, plantains and steamed fish galore, also with my hands. The Caribbean and Africa has maintained great culinary bonds. One day at lunch, I told my coworker the meal she’s unwrapping resembles a dish in St. Vincent we call Dokunu and her eyes lit up. It was a screaming match of laughter, amazement and utter shock because Ghanaians also call it Dokunu!! So I said the Bajan name for it, conkey, and once more pure amazement because the local name is Kenkey. I hope someday to tour the continent and connect the dots. Any West Indian would laugh at my experience where my Kenyan friends in Geneva tried to teach me how to make Milo. We grow up on that in the Caribbean! Who recalls putting milo, powdered milk and brown sugar in a plastic bag and hiding under a table? I do!
The ENACTUS students I work with are beyond brilliant, they are the top and brightest minds in the nation’s Universities. I learn a heap full from them. It also warms my heart to be part of greatness like this. I’ll share with you the impactful entrepreneurial projects they implement in their communities. Just mind blowing. After the National Competition of course, it’s all top secret for now. The winner represents Ghana in Mexico this October!
Last weekend I toured the Asante/Ashanti Empire. The most powerful Kingdom in Africa. A 2:00am bus ride to Asante, top notch breakfast buffet and then a tour of the Manhyia Palace Musuem where the King himself resides! Well, his palace is behind the museum 🙂 I then swam in Lake Bosomtwe, a 1.7 million year old lake formed by a meteorite. Another adventure junkie and I padded through some fog, stopped and layed back looking at the full moon and stars. Can you feel the bliss?
Here’s a video of the trip to the Ashanti Region http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcKF8fM61ls&feature=youtu.be
There is unbelievably so much more to share about Ghana and life in Accra. Has it been a challenge? Well roses have thorns on them. Each challenge brings out a champion or a chump and I opt to take the road traveled by champions. What road are you taking? Remember, plants grow in only one direction 🙂
Amazing – I would love to have n experience like this. The coco, milk and sugar — memories
Well written Shalisha! I especially like what you wrote regarding challenges’Each challenge brings out a champion or a chump and I opt to take the road traveled by champions’ .Like you, I also choose to take the road traveled by champions. Keep on enjoying life in Ghana and keep me posted on your Ghanian adventures.
So nice to see that your experience is so positive and interesting. I love the connections between Africa and the Caribbean. My cousin says the musical influences flew so quickly back and forth that both are inextricably influenced by each other.
Shalisha I love this! Please keep writing, and allowing us to follow you on your journey. I absolutely love the pics as well!
I am loving it… post more with loads of pics! I am living vicariously through you.
Beautifully written. I know your stay there would only allow the light that you ave inside to shine even more brightly. I want to learn more, so keep them coming.
Thrilled that you are blessed to have such a wonderful experience. When I was visiting South Africa I was amazed to see foods native to my Garifuna/Honduran home being prepared with the same tools my mother uses. I couldn’t share my excitement–not knowing how to speak Xhosa, but my eyes lit up! The African Diaspora IS amazing! Safe Travel <3
I too, like Laurie, love the food connections you were able to make between the Caribbean & Ghanaian food. Me, I haven’t heard of very many of those dishes, so I would be in a greater culture shock. It must be amazing, as you have expressed, just to be in a place that deepens your sense of self and history. I’m happy you could take this journey.
I will make it an effort to visit the motherland… I am glad you took this journey and shared your experience.
Brilliant and inspirational! Tugs at the heart, somewhere deep down where memories of childhood utopia are hidden. You’ve rekindled the wonder of my inner child explorer.
Milo memories :), I loved this … stay blessed
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