The Obroni Gets a New Name

After going to a training in the south for a week I stopped off at our friend Austin’s site for his naming ceremony on the way home. His counterpart,Clement, wanted to officially give him his Ghanaian name. They had outfits made out of the same fabric for the occasion. Clement’s hat was absolutely ridiculous so everyone took a turn wearing it .

Austin with Melissa in the hat Our friend Jason rocking the hat

Nikki also gave it a try

Clement with Austin ….and yes that is a sleeveless shirt

Clement gave a speech, “Today is a good day, and a good day is today”

Clement’s uncle, Mr. Techi performed the ceremony. He told Austin the he should always be truthful in his work. First, they drank water from the same glass.

Then they drank a sachet of Goal, a liquor ,made from sugar cane. It is really sweet and not that good.

Austin then received the name, Kwame Boa me Bwame

Kwame means Saturday born, and the rest means help me help you.

After the ceremony it was time to eat.

Comfort and Mohammed killed a chicken. Lots of fufu was pounded.

The finished fufu

The biggest, tastiest bowl of soup I have ever seen

Eight people all ate out of this one bowl. It was amazing, even if it looks a little gross.

Tano Sacred Grove

The Tano Sacred Grove is located in the Brong-Ahafo Region just out side of Tanoboase.  Our friend Austin lives just outside the grove.  It is believed that Taakora, the greatest of earthly Akan gods, lives in this grove.  The area has been protected because of his presence.  He commanded that the settlers leave the area and no hunting could take place in the grove.  There are many big sandstone formations in the grove that were used as look out points during the Ashanti-Bono wars of the 18th century.    

This is inside the fetish priest’s house in Tanoboase.  It is the shrine in which he communicates with Taakora.

Some of the beautiful views from the rocks

Some of the cool plants we saw on the hike.

 

Warriors used to have races up these rocks.  The winner would have first pick of available women to marry.

 

This is where Taakora is believed to live.  That is a bottle of Shnapps.  It is common to pour libations to the gods. 

There were also sacrifices placed throughout the grove for Taakora.

 

The grove is also home to a large colony of fruit bats.  We only saw one in the sky.  There were many dead ones along the path.  We don’t know what could be killing them.  Juju maybe….?

Sports Day

 

There was a sports competition involving Dipale, Gushie, and Tigila primary schools held in Gushie.   There was a football tournament as well as track and field events.  Some kids walked 10 km just to cheer on their school.  

Dipale in the red taking on Gushie in the blue.

 

Gushie fans cheering on there team

Trying to win the ball.

Dipale scored first in the opening half of play, but then equalized late in the second half. Time expired in a 1-1 draw. 

 

Both teams ready for the shoot out.

Sadly Dipale lost in the shootout.

Gushie fans storm the field.

After the football match came the track meet. The girls 100 meters was won by Paybla of Dipale. She is one of the girls who comes and gets the vegetables from the garden.

The boys 100 meters.

Gushie ended up beating Tigila in the final football match, but Dipale won the track and field events

Fast Food

Boys and young men all over the Northern region love to hunt for bush meat during the dry season. They hunt for rats, mice, grasscutter, chipmunks, squirrels, and anything else that moves. To catch them, they light large areas of the bush on fire to flush them out. They then beat them to death with either sticks, hand hoes, or cutlasses. It is actually a very destructive practice, but it was a lot of fun to watch.



First they set the fire and wait for the little critters to run from the fire.

The chase is on...

That is our night watchmen E.D. screaming in the background.



Finally the kill. Our friend Fatauo, who just got married, takes home the prize.

One of the local boys with his catch.