by phil | Aug 1, 2010 | Ghana, Music, Stories, W. Africa
As I mentioned in the last post, I was invited to a graduation. It was a private school, well-funded for Ghana, and they put on a ceremony that was essentially western, but with much more music and dance. Several hours of music and dance in fact. Most entertaining was...
by phil | Jul 29, 2010 | Ghana, Stories, W. Africa
When I tell Ghanaians I am staying in the Newtown neighborhood of Accra, I receive one of two reactions: elation, because they live in Newtown themselves, or shock, because Newtown and nearby Nima are known for thuggery. It turns out that some years ago, Newtown was a...
by phil | Jul 26, 2010 | Ghana, Music, W. Africa
The Newtown neighborhood of Accra is loud. Almost all the time. “Allahhhh Huuuu Akbarrrrrrrr” is every morning from 4-530AM (some mosques start late I guess). This is my alarm clock or my second lullaby, depending on when I plan on getting up. My first lullaby, which...
by phil | Jul 22, 2010 | Ghana, Stories, W. Africa
Five years ago, outside of a game reserve in northern Benin, I got a cut on my shin that became badly infected. From knee to foot, my leg was like a piece of rotting fruit. I became immobile, bearded, and completely pathetic. After a regimen of IVs, oral antibiotics,...
by phil | Jul 20, 2010 | Ghana, Music, W. Africa
Yas1 by lionsinthetiles Yas2 by lionsinthetiles 2 versions of original work made in Accra. Had to compress a lot because internet in Ghana is not cooperating. Go figure. Peace fm by lionsinthetiles To get a sense for what’s playing on the radio in Accra, this is...
