Hello all! Thank goodness I am able to keep you abreast of the journey. It's so ironic because I'll be home probably when most of you read this. Today, we are in Akosombo in the Volta region, where Dr. Ansa is from. We will go to the school he went to as a child and give school supplies to the students, meet parents, teachers, etc. I am excited!
I want to catch all of you up on the story. I am here with some SADDITY NEGROES!!! They all happen to be Howard professors (you know the type). Yep, it's unfortunate. They'd rather go on a safari than meet actual people from Ghana. I fought them hard in the beginning, but now I just tune them out! I'll tell you about the fights in the next blog because this blog is dedicated to Cape Coast~specifically PANAFEST and the Cape Coast Hotel.
PANAFEST was a dream come true. Dr. Leonard Jeffries spoke, the African world convened in downtown Cape Coast for two days straight. There were conscious black folk from far and wide: Suriname, Nova Scotia, Nigeria, Canada, the US (save the Negroes) and just about every island you could think of. People were catchin the spirit. It was a sight to behold! I saw Kali randomly as I was taking everything in! It was amazing. There was even a second line!! With brass bands, umbrellas, and all. Absolutely fantabulous! We were at PANAFEST for 5 hours.
Cape Coast Hotel was another story. Talk about triflin~not to sound like one of the negroes. You know, you pay all this money to Howard (that you all helped me raise) and they put us in the most disgusting hotel they could find. I really think they did that to be cheap because we stayed there the longest. The people didn't change our sheets, clean up, the food was crazy, it was a mess. And just to show you how triflin the hotel was, my friend had a sinus infection due to the mildew in her room: glossy eyes, coughing, sneezing, asthma, the whole nine. So, she sleeps in the lobby for two nights. The 2nd to last night, the management says they want to show her a different room, and she says no thank you because she couldn't stand the mildew. They insist and she follows the manager to a secluded part of the hotel...she had to go behind the counter, outside, up and around corners, thru twists and turns. Finally, she gets to a section of the hotel, and after she showed the rest of his we were T-Otally pissed (sorry Granny). She opens the door~~~ flat screen TV, huge bathroom, tile flooring, king-sized bed, balcony.....on and on! I was speechless!! After being in utter filth for 4 days they had good accomidations! What. Anyway, that's in the past...I'll look back on it and laugh (when I get home). Just wanted to share that with you.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Re-Re-Write
So this is my third time writing this! Blast these electrical problems here. But in all, I can't complain. It is so beautiful here! Yesterday we went to the Wli (pronounced Vlick) waterfall on the Ghana-Togo border. Not only was it beautifully breath-taking, but the fact that an Ewe community there reaps the benefits of tourism made it even mor enjoyable. There are so many rastas here! It is amazing. Ghanaians ARE Jamaicans, do you here me! Seriously, it is like Jamaicans or Carribean people never left this area.
This post is going to be short until tomorrow. I'm going to tell you the story of the Fulani priest that blessed the Ashanti village with strength and brought downt he golden stool. Priest Okomfo Anokye was his named. Once upon a time (you say time, time), many years ago there was a war between the Ashanti and the Denkyira. The Ashanti lost, and so Prince Osei-Tutu, the son of the King’s sister was sent to the Denkyira to serve their King Nana Boa. There he met another hostage, an Akwamu priest called Okomfo Anokye.
When the King of the Ashanti died the people sent for their Prince to return and take the throne. Osei-Tutu asked that his friend Okomfo Anokye come back with him to guide him and give spiritual protection to the Ashanti.
Okomfo Anokye became the high priest of the Ashanti and under Osei-Tutu’s rule the people became prosperous. To show his great friendship and love for the King, Okomfo Anokye conjured a solid gold stool from heaven to make the Ashanti invincible.
It was done in this way. He planted two saplings of the “kum” tree a great distance apart and told the people that which ever tree lived, the heart of the Ashanti Kingdom would be there.
He then took the “akonfena” the sword of state, and marked a spot where he would be buried. When he was underground he would consult the tribal elders who had died and they would give him great power to pass on to the Ashanti.
Okomfo Anokye told the Ashanti that he would be in the land of the dead for eight days and on the eighth day he would return to the land of the living. However he could only return if no tears were shed when he was underground. So it was said and so it was done. Okomfo Anokye was entombed at the spot where the sword was in the ground. On the third day after his burial the Golden Stool, which houses the spirit of the Ashanti nation, both living, dead and yet to be born, descended from heaven and it still resides in the great palace of the Ashanti.
On the eighth day all the people gathered at the tomb of Okomfo Anokye to await his return. When the sun set and Okomfo Anokye did not return the people cried out in fear that he was lost and tears made their way down the faces of the women. So Okomfo Anokye was lost forever.
The kum tree that lived became the capital of the Ashanti. The place was called Kumasi which is meaning under the kum tree. It is the capital of the Ashanti today. Where the other tree died is another town called Kumawu. Today Kamuwu, is a 40 minute drive from Kumasi. The akonfena remains where Okomfo Anokye thrust it and no man can remove it. But the priest who gave the Golden Stool to the Ashanti is lost forever.
We say this particular site in Kumasi, which is behind the main hospital there, and the tour guide told us that the white man who built the hospital tried to remove the akofena with a bulldozer and all sorts of technological devices, but it was to no avail. Also, Muhammad Ali tried to remove it (why he would want to attempt destroying the Ashanti kingdom, I don't know) but did not succeed.
I will update you all on the rest of the trip ASAP. Oh, I saw Kali in Cape Coast at PANAFEST and I plan to meet her in Accra in 3 days.
This is just a little side note: there are a lot of lizards, chameleons to be exact, around here. Needless to say, they double as both rats and roaches and squirrels and really aren't pests, but we had some at the other hotel (I'll tell you that story tomorrow).
I love you all!!
This post is going to be short until tomorrow. I'm going to tell you the story of the Fulani priest that blessed the Ashanti village with strength and brought downt he golden stool. Priest Okomfo Anokye was his named. Once upon a time (you say time, time), many years ago there was a war between the Ashanti and the Denkyira. The Ashanti lost, and so Prince Osei-Tutu, the son of the King’s sister was sent to the Denkyira to serve their King Nana Boa. There he met another hostage, an Akwamu priest called Okomfo Anokye.
When the King of the Ashanti died the people sent for their Prince to return and take the throne. Osei-Tutu asked that his friend Okomfo Anokye come back with him to guide him and give spiritual protection to the Ashanti.
Okomfo Anokye became the high priest of the Ashanti and under Osei-Tutu’s rule the people became prosperous. To show his great friendship and love for the King, Okomfo Anokye conjured a solid gold stool from heaven to make the Ashanti invincible.
It was done in this way. He planted two saplings of the “kum” tree a great distance apart and told the people that which ever tree lived, the heart of the Ashanti Kingdom would be there.
He then took the “akonfena” the sword of state, and marked a spot where he would be buried. When he was underground he would consult the tribal elders who had died and they would give him great power to pass on to the Ashanti.
Okomfo Anokye told the Ashanti that he would be in the land of the dead for eight days and on the eighth day he would return to the land of the living. However he could only return if no tears were shed when he was underground. So it was said and so it was done. Okomfo Anokye was entombed at the spot where the sword was in the ground. On the third day after his burial the Golden Stool, which houses the spirit of the Ashanti nation, both living, dead and yet to be born, descended from heaven and it still resides in the great palace of the Ashanti.
On the eighth day all the people gathered at the tomb of Okomfo Anokye to await his return. When the sun set and Okomfo Anokye did not return the people cried out in fear that he was lost and tears made their way down the faces of the women. So Okomfo Anokye was lost forever.
The kum tree that lived became the capital of the Ashanti. The place was called Kumasi which is meaning under the kum tree. It is the capital of the Ashanti today. Where the other tree died is another town called Kumawu. Today Kamuwu, is a 40 minute drive from Kumasi. The akonfena remains where Okomfo Anokye thrust it and no man can remove it. But the priest who gave the Golden Stool to the Ashanti is lost forever.
We say this particular site in Kumasi, which is behind the main hospital there, and the tour guide told us that the white man who built the hospital tried to remove the akofena with a bulldozer and all sorts of technological devices, but it was to no avail. Also, Muhammad Ali tried to remove it (why he would want to attempt destroying the Ashanti kingdom, I don't know) but did not succeed.
I will update you all on the rest of the trip ASAP. Oh, I saw Kali in Cape Coast at PANAFEST and I plan to meet her in Accra in 3 days.
This is just a little side note: there are a lot of lizards, chameleons to be exact, around here. Needless to say, they double as both rats and roaches and squirrels and really aren't pests, but we had some at the other hotel (I'll tell you that story tomorrow).
I love you all!!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Today, I Bought Malcom a Djembe!
Wow! Ghana, Ghana, Ghana! Talk about a country in the middle of tranisition: bordering somewhere in between tradition and capitalism, each city has amazed me in every since of the word. As I know many of you know, the western world has and its all present influence has caused Ghanaian citizens to strip themselves of their culture to dawn "Aburni Wear," also known as dead white man's clothes. Yes, the second-hand retail here is amazing. You know how you may go to the Red Cross, Salvation Army, your church/mosque or wherever to donate clothing? Well, the clothing is not distributed to the people in countries like Ghana for free. No, instead it is sold from a middle man to shop owners in the city, Kumasi being the largest commerical district, and made a profit out of, with most of the money going to these white middle men.
Enough about that. The flight was ten-hours, no need to go into detail there. It wasn't unbearable and I couldn't complain about a thing as I flew over the Atlantic. I have never seen so many children with fake hair in their heads, outside of Dallas, TX, so I knew that Ghana was definitely where my people were from because of the grandiose styles, colors, and the slow, Sunday-driver walking style. I jest. No, in all seriousness, my time in Ghana has been filled with many beautiful experiences. My day-name or soul name is Yaa because I was born on Thursday. Each day of the week has its own names for both of the sexes to go along with it and attributes that the person exudes. I will be able to give everyone their day-name when I get back.
Young, old, man or woman, everybody has perfect posture, and as I'm sure you know, can balance anything, and I do mean ANYTHING, on their heads. It's beautiful and makes you mad that we can't exercise the culture in that way.
The 1st hotel we were at in Accra was experiencing electrical outages, so we moved the 1st day. We spent the 1st 3 days in Ghana having to listen to these so-called culturally astute professors from HU complain! Adults!! Actually, it's just one man, but I want to ask him all the time, "Why did you come?" That's neither here nor there. We will return to Accra the last 3 days of our trip. We headed to Kumasi, the seat of the Ashanti nation way atop the cliffy-hills with lush vegetation all around. It is beautiful here! We are called Aburni-koko or black-white people! No!!!! THat makes you sad, but what can you do? This counry is so expansive and prides itself with being one of the foremost leaders in Pan-Africa political thought and economy.
I just wanted to catch everyone up with what is going on. I love you all and I am thinking about you always. I will have more detailed messages in the coming days.
Much love,
Ava
Enough about that. The flight was ten-hours, no need to go into detail there. It wasn't unbearable and I couldn't complain about a thing as I flew over the Atlantic. I have never seen so many children with fake hair in their heads, outside of Dallas, TX, so I knew that Ghana was definitely where my people were from because of the grandiose styles, colors, and the slow, Sunday-driver walking style. I jest. No, in all seriousness, my time in Ghana has been filled with many beautiful experiences. My day-name or soul name is Yaa because I was born on Thursday. Each day of the week has its own names for both of the sexes to go along with it and attributes that the person exudes. I will be able to give everyone their day-name when I get back.
Young, old, man or woman, everybody has perfect posture, and as I'm sure you know, can balance anything, and I do mean ANYTHING, on their heads. It's beautiful and makes you mad that we can't exercise the culture in that way.
The 1st hotel we were at in Accra was experiencing electrical outages, so we moved the 1st day. We spent the 1st 3 days in Ghana having to listen to these so-called culturally astute professors from HU complain! Adults!! Actually, it's just one man, but I want to ask him all the time, "Why did you come?" That's neither here nor there. We will return to Accra the last 3 days of our trip. We headed to Kumasi, the seat of the Ashanti nation way atop the cliffy-hills with lush vegetation all around. It is beautiful here! We are called Aburni-koko or black-white people! No!!!! THat makes you sad, but what can you do? This counry is so expansive and prides itself with being one of the foremost leaders in Pan-Africa political thought and economy.
I just wanted to catch everyone up with what is going on. I love you all and I am thinking about you always. I will have more detailed messages in the coming days.
Much love,
Ava
Saturday, July 14, 2007
The Day Before my Travels
Tonight I'm feeling anxious, frazzled, and uncertain. Your out-pouring of support has been amazing, but I am soooo apprehensive. I am washing clothes and packing my suitcase now. Even with all of the uncertainty, I feel like this is a rites of passage, and this trip coming a month-or-so before my senior year at Howard could not be more poetic.
I think the spiritual guidance I so long for is there awaiting me. Please excuse the randomness of this blog, it is very much so stream of consciousness.
I have been reading Richard Wright's, Black Power, a critique and objective narration of the months leading up to the Ghanian Independence Movement. It has made me want to go and do research on the ins and outs of Wright's stay in Ghana.
Tomorrow, I will leave for BWI at 7:45 AM and depart for Ghana at 11:45 (ET) on a ten hour flight. I hope to upload lots of pictures of our departure and such for all to see.
I can't wait to hear from all of you.
I think the spiritual guidance I so long for is there awaiting me. Please excuse the randomness of this blog, it is very much so stream of consciousness.
I have been reading Richard Wright's, Black Power, a critique and objective narration of the months leading up to the Ghanian Independence Movement. It has made me want to go and do research on the ins and outs of Wright's stay in Ghana.
Tomorrow, I will leave for BWI at 7:45 AM and depart for Ghana at 11:45 (ET) on a ten hour flight. I hope to upload lots of pictures of our departure and such for all to see.
I can't wait to hear from all of you.
Friday, July 13, 2007
A Quick Update
So, a lot has happened since June 19th. The Summer Enrichment Program at TBAAL came to a close. The children were awesome, eloquent, and poised (and the costumes were FIERCE). Also, I am, to quote Rakim, "Paid in Full," for the Ghana trip as of July 1st, thanks to all of you!
Coming back to DC was a challenge-and-a-half. I fly standby frequently thanks to Aunt Cynthia and Chaka Nicole, and I could not get a flight out of Dallas for 2 1/2 days! I was scheduled to arrive in DC on July 8th, but didn't get into the city until early Tuesday morning. Thank the Lord that I made it. On his way pick me up, my boyfriend got into a wreck. God is good because he was unharmed.
Wednesday was the orientation day and I was able to meet a few of the travelers. Right now their are 4 students going on the trip and about 4 professors. The course-based aspect of the trip is as follows: we will take a series of lectures in Ghana, read pre-assigned materials and write a series of essays both based on our time in Ghana and on what we learn at Kwame Nkrumah University. I will upload a copy of the iternary in a few days. It turns out that we will be visiting 5 cities instead of the original 3: Accra, Cape Coast, Kumaasi, Akosombo, and the Volta region.
I leave on Sunday at 11:45AM from Baltimore Washington International airport!!!!! Pray for me y'all!
(FYI: Ghana is 4 hours ahead).
I love you all!
Coming back to DC was a challenge-and-a-half. I fly standby frequently thanks to Aunt Cynthia and Chaka Nicole, and I could not get a flight out of Dallas for 2 1/2 days! I was scheduled to arrive in DC on July 8th, but didn't get into the city until early Tuesday morning. Thank the Lord that I made it. On his way pick me up, my boyfriend got into a wreck. God is good because he was unharmed.
Wednesday was the orientation day and I was able to meet a few of the travelers. Right now their are 4 students going on the trip and about 4 professors. The course-based aspect of the trip is as follows: we will take a series of lectures in Ghana, read pre-assigned materials and write a series of essays both based on our time in Ghana and on what we learn at Kwame Nkrumah University. I will upload a copy of the iternary in a few days. It turns out that we will be visiting 5 cities instead of the original 3: Accra, Cape Coast, Kumaasi, Akosombo, and the Volta region.
I leave on Sunday at 11:45AM from Baltimore Washington International airport!!!!! Pray for me y'all!
(FYI: Ghana is 4 hours ahead).
I love you all!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
RAFFLE TODAY & HAPPY JUNETEENTH
I just wanted to thank you all for supporting my Ghana efforts. The raffle tickets were drawn today at the Cafe of Life Chiropractic Center on Boll Street in the beautiful Dallas, TX! The winners are as follows:
Michael McMillan~Swedish Massage
Vince Hunter~Swedish Massage
Anyika Herod~One Month of Free Yoga
Karen McMillan~One Month of Free Chiropractic care
Thanks to all of your support you helped raise $990!!!!
The Creator is expansive and ever-giving.
Happy Juneteenth: for all of you questioning why we would celebrate our freedom from slavery I say to you: it's not a celebration of our freedom, but the day our ancestors went to find their families. This is a family-filled day and it signifies the rebuilding of the African family, mindset, and way of life! Ashe!!!!
Michael McMillan~Swedish Massage
Vince Hunter~Swedish Massage
Anyika Herod~One Month of Free Yoga
Karen McMillan~One Month of Free Chiropractic care
Thanks to all of your support you helped raise $990!!!!
The Creator is expansive and ever-giving.
Happy Juneteenth: for all of you questioning why we would celebrate our freedom from slavery I say to you: it's not a celebration of our freedom, but the day our ancestors went to find their families. This is a family-filled day and it signifies the rebuilding of the African family, mindset, and way of life! Ashe!!!!
Monday, June 18, 2007
It will only take a moment
If any of you know my cousin, Anyika, please visit her guestbook at: freewebs.com/anyika.
I would love to hear from any viewer of this blog! Random question: Have you ever been out of the country? If so, where? Also, if you bought a raffle ticket from someone other than me, please leave a message! I want to thank you for taking interest after not having met me!
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