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Published: February 9th 2009
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This weekend we took our last ISEP organized trip to Kumasi. It is supposed to be about a 4 hour drive but traffic is another issue. I don’t remember how long it took us to get there, but I do remember we didn’t get lunch until 4. All things considered it wasn’t an extremely eventful weekend. Kumasi is the second largest city in Ghana and is the capital for the Ashanti tribe. The Ashantis are known for their arts and crafts so the weekend revolved mostly around shopping and learning how the stuff is made.
When we first got there we went to where the current chief lives. His house is like the White House or something. It was completely surrounded by security and there is a very strict no picture policy. We weren’t allowed near the current residence, but they have tours of a smaller building that the chiefs used to live in. The yard was really pretty but what I remember most is that there are these peacocks just wandering around. I’ve never seen peacocks just wandering around. I really wanted to pluck one of the tail feathers from one of the male birds but it wouldn’t let
Peacocks
wouldnt those feathers make some sweet earrings? me get close enough. Besides, it would probably have attacked me, but I would have had a pretty feather that would have made it up to me!
Next we went to the African Cultural Center in downtown Kumasi where they had a lot of shops where I bought several beautiful paintings and crafts. One of my favorite things that you can get in Kumasi are these brass figures that are made using the “lost wax” technique. They first make the figure out of wax in the shape that they want. Then they cover the wax in a clay ball and dry out the clay. Then they melt the wax out of the hardened clay so it forms a mold that they pour the brass into. Its old fashioned metalworking and the designs are really awesome.
The next day we went to this village outside of Kumasi where traditional African Kente cloth originated from. The cloth is hand woven and was originally for royalty. The patterns all have different meanings and even the colors are symbolic. Its really neat because the fabric actually tells a story. I bought a little of the Kente cloth, but its really expensive so
Personal carving
These guys carved exactly what I wanted because I couldnt find it anywhere I had to hold back on that one. I was able to get a Kente cloth tie for pretty cheap that I cant wait to rock out when I go back to Carrabba’s this summer. The Ashantis also have these symbols that are called Adinkra symbols that they stamp onto the fabrics. I’m learning the meanings of the symbols in one of my classes while I am here but it was cool to see them all over everything. We stopped at another place where they explained the process of stamping the cloth with ink that they make from this certain bark. We even got to stamp our fabric with whatever symbol we liked best. My favorite symbol so far is this one with 2 pairs of ram horns; one pointed up and one pointed down. It symbolizes strength and humility, meaning that to be a good leader you must have strength, yet remain humble. We got stuck in traffic so we didn’t have time to go to the wood carving village that day so that was all we were able to do.
That night we were staying in a MUCH nicer hotel compared to last weekend. First of all,
Butt...?
Thought this was entertaining it wasn’t a “botel” so that is always a good start. We had 2 twin beds and I was staying with Bethany and Melissa so we pushed the 2 beds together. The two boys that were staying next door came in and jumped in with us where we stayed up really late talking while we laid in the bed like a bunch of sardines. It was like a slumber party! Haha, but we had really good bonding time.
Sunday we went to the carving village for an hour on our way out of town. It was pretty overwhelming because any time 40 Americans get off a bus they all just flock to you trying to get you to buy things from them. A month ago I would have been so overwhelmed by it all, but I realized how comfortable I am with those situations now. Not only was I able to handle the situation well, I actually found it entertaining. The men would try to get me into their shops and would walk me to different places. They were pretty aggressive, but it’s a different type of aggressive. They aren’t violent and I never felt threatened or anything like
that, in fact they’re aggressively nice. If one shop didn’t have quite what I wanted I would just tell one what I was looking for. He would turn around and yell at one of the other guys behind him and that guy would run off somewhere and come back in 30 seconds with 4 different examples of what I was asking for. It was pretty funny. The wood that they made stuff out of was just absolutely beautiful and I cant wait to go back where I can spend more time (and probably more money). I wanted a particular symbol on one of the mankala games and they didn’t have quite what I wanted so they grabbed a blank one and carved it for me right there! I got lots of presents for people, but if there is any requests we are planning on going back and Ill try to get what you are looking for.
It was a pretty good trip, nothing too exciting. It was mostly a lot of shopping, but I did learn a lot about the meanings behind a lot of the crafts and how they are made. Today I was at the school teaching
Tinkerbell!!
I saw a car exactly like mine in Osu again and I’m starting to get into a daily routine of volunteering there and my classes here. The kids there are beyond phenomenal and I have such a blast working with them.
This weekend some people are talking of taking a trip to this little remote island where basically the only thing to do there is sit on a hammock on the beach reading a book. I’m looking forward to being in a beautiful environment with a few good friends and try not to remember that I am away from all of my friends and family on Valentine’s Day. There are a lot of signs all over town that advertise to have a “Happy Chocolate Day!” or call it National Chocolate Day. Hey, at least they’re honest!
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Kathey Hunter
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Kente cloth
I really would like to have some of the Kente cloth. Is it realistic to think that I could get you money and that the fabric could be sent to me and that I would actually receive it? Hugs Ms. Kathey