Ghana's cultural strength: Music, religion and family

This week was spent in a bunch of orientation lectures ranging from a variety of topics: archaeology, sociology, political economy, gender studies, music, religion, literature, language, and even environmental science. Some common themes ran throughout all these lectures. One of them was that music is a significant part of everyday life for the Ghanaians. One can participate in musical performances even by simply placing a coin on top of your head! Music is performed at funerals, festivals, and other events. African dance goes along with this, and we learned several traditional dances which were used also as religious honors.

On the subject of religion, this was also an important theme of the lectures. Religion is also key to Ghanaian society. Traditional, Muslim, and Christian religions coexist in this country, surprisingly in complete tolerance and peace. Talking to a Christian Ghanaian, I learned that some Christians will actually believe some of the traditional practices and vice versa. I also learned that sometimes Ghanaians in general are more accepting of other religions than they are of those who claim they are atheist. As I said before, Christianity is so open here. You will find catch phrases on all sorts of shops and markets. Some others I have discovered are: “Trust in God Car Repair”, “Have Faith Restaurant”, and “God’s Grace shop”. I met a Muslim Ghanaian student who was very happy to find that I was a committed Christian and explained that he was a committed liberal Muslim. Several sects of Islam exist in Ghana: Tijaniyya (traditional), Qadiriyy, Sunni Wahabbi, and Shiite. Before colonialism, Islam was the most important religion to West Africa. In the last 100 years, African Christians have adapted the religion to their society in order to solve African problems.

Lastly, the theme of extended family is the norm here. Rather than simply saying your family includes mom, dad, kids, and the dog, Ghanaians believe that family can include all extended relatives including tribal members. Family can be all those in a local village. Children are typically considered as such until they marry and parents generally have authority over their children until they pass away. Children are usually more respectful to the older generation in general as they always respectfully greet and obey adults.

Gender roles are changing in Ghana as well. According to a professor of gender studies, Christianity has improved opportunities for women to enter into the workplace and gain more liberty to choose their futures. Drinking and social vices in general are more shunned here. I have heard that only 10% at most at the University will drink and usually they don't want to be found publically repeating this same activity. Women especially are not to drink in public unless they want to be labeled something very disrespected.

An African language professor explained how some English phrases are used in Ghana, but mean something different. It’s actually pretty funny. If you say “stop flirting” you actually mean stop having an affair! “Sorry” actually means “I sympathize” and is not always used when you do someone harm. Also, never eat with your left hand or exchange with it as it is considered rude. Thank God I am right handed!