March 25, 2023
Today we journeyed to a small village who farm cacao that is shipped around the world to become delicious chocolate. We began our visit by meeting the chief and other village leaders to ask permission to visit the village.
As we drove into the village, the children had gathered to greet us.
We met in the assembly building which had been built with money earned from previous tourist visits. Once seated and waiting for the ceremony, Brent spotted a gecko.
The ceremony began with music and a dancer who had a ceremonial staff.
He then invited men in the audience to try the dance as well. Brent was the first to try. The raised hands show approval of steps he does.
In the meantime, the children and other villagers had gathered to watch the ceremony as well.
Our guide acted as our intermediary and translator to the chief's own translator and advisor. (Although the chief (the man in white) did understand all that was said, because of his importance all contact had to be done through a translator.) He asked permission for us to visit the village.
After that water was ritually poured on the ground and we all drank a small amount of the powerful welcome drink. For those of us who don't drink alcohol, a palm drink was offered instead.
We were then introduced to the leader of the women, the "queen" of the village.
We were allowed a period of time to ask questions.
Then our guide presented the chief with a gift (through his intermediary) and we also made individual donations to the village. These donations would be going to build a nice house for the chief.
Afterwards, there was more dancing with both men and women, and we were invited to join in as well. Some of the children danced as well.
We were then welcomed into the village and shown around. We learned how they ground cassava root into a paste.
They also showed us how they dried out the cocoa beans from the cacao plant to be shipped in large bags to factories and chocolatiers who would turn it into chocolate.
Everywhere we went, the children went as well. They showed off their toys, gave us high fives and asked and answered questions. They were all very welcoming. Before we left, we gave them our tour stickers which they seemed excited about.
We then walked to an area where cacao was grown so we could see how the cacao pods grew on the trunks of the trees and taste the while jelly-like substance that grew around the cocoa beans. It was sweet and tasted a little like lychee fruit.
As we returned to ship, we drove through the countryside and the town of Akoradi, catching brief glimpses of life in Ghana. We saw market stalls and walking markets where men or women carried their wares on their head.
We saw people busy working and enjoying their time together, including playing football (the game Americans call soccer) which is the most popular sport in every country in Africa.
We passed by houses and other buildings such as a local radio station.
What struck me most about Ghana, was our friendly and welcoming everyone was. Even as the bus drove by, many people stopped what they were doing to wave. Although we get an occasional wave in other countries, it was much more common here in Ghana.
Comments