Ghana is a country of 22 million people comprising over 60 ethnic groups. Fifty two major languages and hundreds of dialects are spoken in Ghana, and English, the official language of Ghana, is spoken by many. Like most other African nations Ghana has rich traditional cultures that differ from one ethnic group or tribe to the other. Different sources give different figures for the number of languages of Ghana. ... Ghana has diverse traditional dishes from each ethnic group, tribe and clan from the north to the south and from the east to west. ... African Writers (by country): This is a list of prominent and notable literary figures from the African continent, listed by country, including poets, novelists, childrens writers, essayists, and scholars, listed by country. ... Ghana has many varied styles of traditional and modern music, due to its vibrant ethnic groups and geographic position in West Africa, enjoying cosmopolitan cultures. ... *Introduced by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, National Farmers Day was organized as a day’s activity for the nation to honor its hard working farmers who excelled in their contribution to improve the agricultural sector with certificates and prizes. ... An ethnic group is a group of people who identify with one another, or are so identified by others, on the basis of a boundary that distinguishes them from other groups. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... World map showing location of Africa A satellite composite image of Africa Africa is the worlds second_largest continent in both area and population, after Asia. ... For other uses, see Culture (disambiguation). ... http://www. ...

Social Relations

In general, Ghanaians emphasize communal values such as family, respect for the elderly, honoring traditional rulers, and the importance of dignity and proper social conduct. Individual conduct is seen as having impact on an entire family, social group and community; therefore, everyone is expected to be respectful, dignified and observant in public settings and in most every aspect of life. Naming ceremonies, puberty initiations, marriage and death are all marked by family ceremonies, and while Ghana has the highest percentage of Christians in West Africa, belief in traditional animist religions is still common. Seasonal festivals serve to bring a whole tribe or clan together in spectacular fashion. Customs regarding an appropriate show of respect are very important in Ghana. ... The Akan people frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. ... Puberty refers to the process of physical changes by which a childs body becomes an adult body capable of reproduction. ... This article is about the religous people known as Christians. ...  Western Africa (UN subregion)  Maghreb[1] West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. ... This article is in need of attention. ...

Customs are often passed on through the extended family. While the customary leaders or chiefs, are given historical authority over tribal, family matters, and land usage. Relationships within traditional society are based on family membership, inherited status, and ancestral beliefs. In modern society, relationships are determined by achieved status, formalized education, membership in professional associations, and ethnic affiliation. The result is that, even those who live primarily in the modern urban setting remain bound to traditional society through the kinship system and are held to the responsibilities that such associations entail. The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view. ... http://www. ...

No part of Ghana, however, is ethnically homogeneous. Urban centers are generally ethnically mixed due to migration to towns and cities in search of employment. Rural areas, with the exception of cocoa-producing areas that have attracted migrant labor, tend to reflect more traditional population distributions. One overriding feature of the country's ethnic population is that groups to the south who are closer to the Atlantic coast have long been influenced by the money economy, Western education, and Christianity, whereas ethnic groups to the north, who have been less exposed to those influences, have came under Islamic influence. These influences were not pervasive in the respective regions, however, nor were they wholly restricted to them. Cities with at least a million inhabitants in 2006 An urban area is an area with an increased density of human-created structures in comparison to the areas surrounding it. ... Cocoa beans in a cacao pod Cocoa is the dried and partially fermented fatty seed of the cacao tree from which chocolate is made. ... The Atlantic Ocean is Earths second-largest ocean, covering approximately one_fifth of its surface. ... The Northern Region is one of Ghanas ten administrative regions. ...

In urban centers, the degree of traditionalism or modernism demonstrated by an individual is, to a large extent, determined by the length of residency in an urban setting, level of education, the degree of Westernization and, in some measure, by religious affiliation. Professionals in economics, politics, education, administration, medicine, law, and similar occupations constitute the elite of their respective groupings. Taken as a whole, however, such elites do not compose an upper class. The individuals who constitute the elites come from different social and ethnic backgrounds and base their power and social status on different cultural values. Most of them continue to participate in some aspects of traditional society and socialize with members of their own or other lineage groups. Most important, they do not regard themselves as an elite group. ^[1] For other uses, see Elite (disambiguation). ... Upper class refers to the group of people at the top of a social hierarchy. ...

People of Ghana

On the basis of language and culture, historical geographers and cultural anthropologists classify the indigenous people of Ghana into five major groups. These are the Akan, the Ewe, MoleDagbane, the Guan, and the Ga-Adangbe. A geographer is a scientist whose area of study is geography, the study of the physical environment and human habitat. ... Cultural anthropology, also called social anthropology or socio-cultural anthropology, is one of four commonly recognized fields of anthropology, the holistic study of humanity. ... The Akan people are a linguistic group of West Africa. ... The Ewe people are a people of southern Ghana, Togo and Benin. ...

Ashanti Tribe

Main article: Ashanti people

The Ashanti people of the Akan, from which nearly half of the Ghanaian population is descended, comprise the largest tribe in Ghana and one of the few matrilineal societies in West Africa. The matriclan system of the Akan continues to be economically and politically important. Each lineage controlled the land farmed by its members, functioned as a religious unit in the veneration of its ancestors, supervised marriages, and settled internal disputes among its members. Kumasi is the capital city of the Ashanti region of Ghana. ... Flag of the Ashanti people The Ashanti (also Asante) are a major ethnic group from Africa who speak a dialect of Akan. ... Flag of the Ashanti people The Ashanti (also Asante) are a major ethnic group from Africa who speak a dialect of Akan. ... The Akan people are a linguistic group of West Africa. ... Matrilineality is a system in which one belongs to ones mothers lineage; it may also involve the inheritance of property or titles through the female line. ... The most important god in the pantheon of the Ashanti of Ghana is Nyame (also Nyankopon), the omniscient, omnipotent sky god. ...

Ashanti kings, once renowned for their splendor and wealth, retained dignitary status after colonization. Celebration of the Ashanti kings lives on in the tradition of the Golden Stool (see Arts & Crafts, below). The Ashaniti are noted for their expertise in several forms of craft work, particularly their weaving, wood carving, ceramics, fertility dolls, metallurgy and kente cloth (see Arts & Crafts, below). Traditional kente cloth, is woven in complex patterns of bright, narrow strips. It is woven outdoors, exclusively by men. In fact, the manufacture of many Ashanti crafts is restricted to male specialists. Pottery-making is the only craft that is primarily a female activity; but even then, only men are allowed to fashion pots or pipes depicting anthropomorphic or zoomorphic figures. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Tweed loom, Harris, 2004 Woven sheet Weaving is an ancient textile art and craft that involves placing two sets of threads or yarn called the warp and weft of the loom and turning them into cloth. ... Carved wooden cranes Wood carving is a form of working wood by means of a cutting tool held in the hand (this may be a power tool), resulting in a wooden figure or figurine (this may be abstract in nature) or in the ornamentation of a wooden object. ... Ancient Egyptian ceramic art: Louvre Museum. ... Georg Agricola, author of De re metallica, an important early book on metal extraction Metallurgy is a domain of materials science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are called alloys. ... A man weaves kente cloth using a traditional loom in Bonwire village, Ashanti region, Ghana. ... Kente cloth, known locally as nwentoma, is a type of fabric made of interwoven woven cloth strips and is native to the country of Ghana, where it was first developed in the 12th century. ... Anthropomorphism, also referred to as personification or prosopopeia, is the attribution of human characteristics to inanimate objects, animals, forces of nature, and others. ... Categories: Animal stubs ...

The Akan tribes speak various dialects of Twi, a language rich in proverbs, and the use of proverbs is considered to be a sign of wisdom. Euphemisms are also very common, especially concerning events connected with death. The Ashanti village is the primary social and financial unit, and the entire village typically participates in major ceremonies. Twi (pronounced chwee ) is a language spoken in Ghana by about 7 million people. ... Look up proverb in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Euphemism is the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the listener; or in the case of doublespeak, to make it less troublesome for the speaker. ...

Fanti Tribe

The coastal Akan (Fanti) were the first to have relations with Europeans during the "Scramble for Africa". As a result of long association, these groups absorbed aspects of British culture and language. For example, it became customary among these peoples to accept British surnames. For the writer, see John Fante. ... The European peoples are the various nations and ethnic groups of Europe. ... Cecil Rhodes: Cape-Cairo railway project. ...

A young Ghanaian standing on a partially submerged tree branch near the Wli Lower Falls, located in the Volta Region.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1920x2560, 2318 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Culture of Ghana Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1920x2560, 2318 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Culture of Ghana Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used... The Volta Region is a region of Ghana. ...

Ewé Tribe

Main article: Ewe people

The Ewe people occupy southeastern Ghana and parts of neighboring Togo and Benin. The Ewe are essentially a patrilineal people, the founder of a community became the chief and was usually succeeded by his paternal relatives. Ewe religion is organized around a creator deity, Mawu, and over 600 other deities. Many village celebrations and ceremonies take place in honor of one or more deities. The Ewe people are a people of southern Ghana, Togo and Benin. ... The Ewe people are a people of southern Ghana, Togo and Benin. ... Patrilineality is a system in which one belongs to ones fathers lineage; it generally involves the inheritance of property, names or titles through the male line as well. ... In Dahomey mythology, Mahu (alternately: Mawu) is a creator goddess, associated with the sun and moon. ...

Coastal Ewe depend on the fishing trade, while inland Ewe are usually farmers and keep livestock. The local variations in economic activities have led to craft specialization. The Ewe also weave kente cloth, often comprised of geometrical patterns, and symbolic designs that have been handed down through the ages.

MoleDagbane Tribe

MoleDagbane is spoken by about 15 percent of the nation's population. Its speakers are culturally the most varied. For centuries, the area inhabited by MoleDagbane tribes has been the scene of movements of people engaged in conquest, expansion, and north-south and east-west trade. For these reasons, a considerable degree of heterogeneity, particularly of political structure, developed here. A heterogeneous compound, mixture, or other such object is one that consists of many different items. ...

Guan Tribe

The Guan are believed to have migrated from the Mossi region of modern Burkina around A. D. 1000. Moving gradually south, through the Volta valley, they created settlements along the Black Volta, the Afram Plains, in the Volta Gorge, and in the Akwapim Hills before moving onto the coastal plains. Burkina Faso is a landlocked nation of western Africa. ... Black Volta shown in black Black Volta or Mouhoun is a river of western Africa rising in western Burkina Faso and flowing about 1,352 km (840 mi) to the White Volta in Ghana. ...

Ga-Adangbe Tribe

Main article: Ga people

The Ga-Adangbe people (named for the common proto-Ga-Adangbe ancestral language) inhabit the Accra Plains. The Adangbe inhabit the eastern plain, while the Ga groups, occupy the western portions of the Accra coastlands. Although both languages are derived from a common root language, modern Ga and Adangbe languages are no longer similar. The Ga are an ethnic group indigenous to the West African nation of Ghana. ... Accra, population 1,970,400 (2005), is the capital of Ghana. ... GA ...

Despite the archeological evidence that proto-Ga-Adangbe-speakers relied on millet and yam cultivation, the modern Ga reside in what used to be fishing communities, and more than 75 percent of the Ga live in urban centers. The presence of major industrial, commercial, and governmental institutions in the city, as well as increasing migration of other people into the area, has not prevented the Ga people from maintaining aspects of their traditional culture. Pearl millet in the field The millets are a group of small-seeded species of cereal crops, widely grown around the world for food and fodder. ... Yams at Brixton market For the term yam as used in the United States, see sweet potato. ... Tillage (American English), or cultivation (UK) is the agricultural preparation of the soil to receive seeds. ... Net migration rates for 2006: positive (blue), negative (orange) and stable (green). ...

The Role and Status of Women

Women in premodern Ghanaian society were seen as bearers of children, retailers of fish, and farmers. Within the traditional sphere, the childbearing ability of women was explained as the means by which lineage ancestors were allowed to be reborn. In precolonial times, polygamy was encouraged, especially for wealthy men. In patrilineal societies, dowry received from marrying off daughters was seen as a traditional means for fathers to accumulate additional wealth. Ghana was previously called the Gold Coast, but was renamed Ghana upon independence in 1957, because of indications that the inhabitants were descended from migrants who moved south from the ancient Ghana Empire. ... The term polygamy (many marriages in late Greek) is used in related ways in social anthropology, sociobiology, and sociology. ... Patrilineality is a system in which one belongs to ones fathers lineage; it generally involves the inheritance of property, names or titles through the male line as well. ... A dowry (also known as trousseau) is a gift of money or valuables given by the family of the bride to the family of the groom at the time of their marriage. ...

To help rural women transition into the modern world, the city of Nsawam has created the "Dora-Project for young rural women".

In rural areas of Ghana, where agricultural production was the main economic activity, women worked the land. Coastal women also sold fish caught by men. Many of the financial benefits that accrued to these women went into upkeep of the household, while those of the man were reinvested in an enterprise that was often perceived as belonging to his extended family. This traditional division of wealth placed women in positions subordinate to men. In traditional society, marriage under customary law was often arranged or agreed upon by the fathers and other senior kinsmen of the prospective bride and bridegroom. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 443 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1704 × 2304 pixel, file size: 120 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) In the city of Nsawam there is the special Dora-Project for young rural woman . Here we see the Textil-Group File links... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 443 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1704 × 2304 pixel, file size: 120 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) In the city of Nsawam there is the special Dora-Project for young rural woman . Here we see the Textil-Group File links... NSAWAM IS A TOWN IN THE CAPITAL OF ACCRA. WHICH IS IN SOUTHERN GHANA. IT IS CONTROLLED BY THE GA SOCIETY. THEIR POPULATION CONSIST OF MIXERS OF ALL THE TRIBE OR ETHNIC GROUPS OF GHANA.ESPECIALLY.THE GAS AND THE AKANS ... A hierarchy (in Greek hieros = sacred, arkho = rule) is a system of ranking and organizing things. ... A groom waits for his bride. ...

Among matrilineal groups, such as the Akan, married women continued to reside at their maternal homes. Meals prepared by the wife would be carried to the husband at his maternal house. The wife, as an outsider in the husband's family, would not inherit any of his property, other than that granted to her by her husband as gifts in token appreciation of years of devotion. The children from this matrilineal marriage would be expected to inherit from their mother's family. The Ewe and the Dagomba, on the other hand, inherit from fathers. In these patrilineal societies where the domestic group includes the man, his wife or wives, their children, and perhaps several dependent relatives, the wife was brought into closer proximity to the husband and his paternal family. Her male children also assured her of more direct access to wealth accumulated in the marriage with her husband. Dagomba is a kingdom in northern Ghana. ...

The transition into the modern world has been slow for women. On the one hand, the high rate of female fertility in Ghana in the 1980s showed that women's primary role continued to be that of child-bearing. On the other hand, current research supported the view that, notwithstanding the Education Act of 1960, which expanded and required elementary education, some parents were reluctant to send their daughters to school because their labor was needed in the home and on farms. Resistance to female education also stemmed from the conviction that women would be supported by their husbands. In some circles, there was even the fear that a girl's marriage prospects dimmed when she became educated.

Despite these resistances, women have risen to positions of professional importance in Ghana. Early 1990s data showed that about 19 percent of the instructional staff at the nation's three universities was female. Of the teaching staff in specialized and diploma-granting institutions, 20 percent was female; elsewhere, corresponding figures were 21 percent at the secondary school level; 23 percent at the middle school level, and as high as 42 percent at the primary school level. Women also dominated the secretarial and nursing professions in Ghana. When women were employed in the same line of work as men, they were paid equal wages, and they were granted maternity leave with pay.^[1] For other uses, see Secretary (disambiguation). ... Nursing is a profession focused on assisting individuals, families, and communities in attaining, re-attaining, and maintaining optimal health and functioning. ... Parturition redirects here. ...

Festivals of Ghana

The celebration of festivals in Ghana is an essential part of Ghanaian culture. Several rites and rituals are performed throughout the year in various parts of the country, including child-birth, rights of passage, puberty, marriage and death. Most of the celebrations are attended by entire villages and are strictly observed by the traditional elders of the respective ethic groups.

The Panafest is held every summer. It is celebrates Ghanaian roots. People from other African countries, as well as African-Americans with roots in Ghana, often visit the country and celebrate their heritage. Kinship and descent is one of the major concepts of cultural anthropology. ... Languages Predominantly American English Religions Predominantly Christianity and Islam Related ethnic groups Sub-Saharan Africans and other African groups, some with Native American groups. ... For the opening number of Fiddler on the Roof, see Tradition (song). ...

The Homowo Festival-The word "Homowo" literally means hooting at hunger. Traditional oral history tells of a time when the rains stopped and the sea closed its gates. A deadly famine spread throughout the southern Accra Plains, the home of the Ga people. When the harvest finally arrived and food became plentiful, the people celebrated with a festival that ridiculed hunger. Homowo is a festival celebrated by Ga people of Ghana. ... <nowiki>Insert non-formatted text hereBold text</nowiki>A famine is a social and economic crisis that is commonly accompanied by widespread malnutrition, starvation, epidemic and increased mortality. ... Look up Ridicule on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Ridicule is a 1996 French film set in the 18th-century at the decaying court of Versailles. ...

Kobine is a traditional dance and festival unique to the Lawra area of north western Ghana. The dance and the festival named after it are celebrated in September and October to mark the end of a successful harvest. Kobine is a traditional dance and festival unique to the Lawra area of north western Ghana. ... Lawra is a town in north western Ghana. ... Look up Harvest in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Literature of Ghana

The literary tradition of northern Ghana has its roots in Islam, while the literature of the south was influenced by Christian missionaries. As a result of European influence, a number of Ghanaian groups have developed writing systems based on Latin script, and several indigenous languages have produced a rich body of literature. The principal written Ghanaian languages are the Twi dialects of Asante, Akwapim, and Fante. Other written languages are Nzema, Ewe, Dagbane, Ga, and Kasena (a Grusi language). Most publications in the country, however, are written in English. ^[1] For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... A missionary is a propagator of religion, often an evangelist or other representative of a religious community who works among those outside of that community. ... For other uses, see Latin (disambiguation). ... The indigenous peoples of Africa are those peoples from the African region whose way of life, attachment or claims to particular lands, and social and political standing in relation to other more dominant groups have resulted in their substantial marginalisation within modern African states. ... Grusi is a subgroup of the Central Gur languages, comprising about 20 languages. ... To publish is to make publicly known, and in reference to text and images, it can mean distributing paper copies to the public, or putting the content on a website. ...

See also:List of writers from Ghana. African Writers (by country): This is a list of prominent and notable literary figures from the African continent, listed by country, including poets, novelists, childrens writers, essayists, and scholars, listed by country. ...

Music of Ghana

Main article: Music of Ghana

There are three distinct types of Ghanaian music: ethnic or traditional music, normally played during festivals and at funerals; "highlife" music, which is a blend of traditional and ‘imported’ music; and choral music, which is performed in concert halls, churches, schools and colleges. Ghana has many varied styles of traditional and modern music, due to its vibrant ethnic groups and geographic position in West Africa, enjoying cosmopolitan cultures. ... Highlife is a musical genre that originated in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria in the 1920s and spread to other West African countries. ... This article is about choirs, musical ensembles containing singers. ...

Ghanaian music incorporates several distinct types of musical instruments including:

• Axatse -is a type of rattle or idiophone. It is constructed by hollowing out a gourd or calabash. Beads are attached with string which is woven in a fishnet design.
• Gankogui -is a double bell or gong. It is constructed from iron. In Ewe music in general, and during Atsiã in particular, gankogui keeps the time.
• Kaganu-is a narrow drum or membranophone about two feet tall, its head is about three inches in diameter and it is open at the bottom.
• Kidi -is a drum about two feet tall, its head is about nine inches in diameter and has a closed bottom. The Kidi responds to calls from the lead drummer.
• Atsimevu-is the lead drum. It is a narrow drum approximately four feet tall and its head is about eleven inches in diameter.
• Sogo-is the largest of the supporting drums used to play Atsiã. In other pieces it is used as a lead drum. It is about two and a half feet tall, its head is about ten inches in diameter and it is closed at the bottom.
• Kpalogo Drum- Carved from a single piece of wood, and covered in skin to create the drum head.

''Italic text==Cuisine of Ghana== Sogo Kobe Department Store Sogo Co. ...

Main article: Cuisine of Ghana

Ghana has diverse traditional dishes from each ethnic group, tribe and clan. Generally though, most Ghanaian dishes are made up of a starchy portion, and a sauce or soup saturated with fish, snails, meat or mushrooms. Ghana has diverse traditional dishes from each ethnic group, tribe and clan from the north to the south and from the east to west. ...

Arts &Crafts

Kente Cloth

Kente is one of the symbols of the Ghanaian chieftaincy, which remains strong throughout the country, particularly in the areas populated by members of the culturally- and politically dominant Ashanti tribe. The Ashanti's chief, known as the Asantehene, is perhaps the most revered individual in the country. Like other Ghanaian chiefs, he wears bright Kente, gold bracelets, rings and amulets, and is always accompanied by numerous ornate umbrellas (which are also a symbol of the chieftaincy itself). Weaving is a highly developed craft, with dozens of standardized and named textile designs. The colors and patterns of the Kente are carefully chosen by the weaver and the wearer. Kente cloth, known locally as nwentoma, is a type of fabric made of interwoven woven cloth strips and is native to the country of Ghana, where it was first developed in the 12th century. ... The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view. ... An amulet from the Black Pullet grimoire An amulet (from Latin amuletum, meaning A means of protection) consists of any object intended to bring good luck and/or protection to its owner. ... For other uses, see Textile (disambiguation). ...

Kente cloth is worn primarily in the southern part of the country and –in contrast to other forms of traditional weaving - is reserved mainly for joyous occasions. It is also quite appropriate for outsiders to wear it for religious and festive occasions.

Adinkra Symbols as seen on the outer wall of the Embassy of Ghana in Washington DC, USA

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2270x1503, 381 KB) This photograph depicts the Embassy of Ghana in the United States, located at 3512 International Drive NW in Washington, D.C. en: This photograph depicts the Embassy of Ghana in the United States, located at 3512 International Drive... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2270x1503, 381 KB) This photograph depicts the Embassy of Ghana in the United States, located at 3512 International Drive NW in Washington, D.C. en: This photograph depicts the Embassy of Ghana in the United States, located at 3512 International Drive... Flag Seal Nickname: DC, The District Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location Location of Washington, D.C., with regard to the surrounding states of Maryland and Virginia. ...

Adinkra Symbols

Main article: Adinkra

During the 19th Century, the Asante people developed their unique art of adinkra printing. Hand printed and embroidered Adinkra clothes were made and used exclusively by the royalty and spiritual leaders for sacred ceremonies and rituals. Each of the motifs that make up the corpus of adinkra symbolism has a name and meaning derived from a proverb, a historical event, human attitude, animal behavior, plant life, or shapes of inanimate and man-made objects. These are graphically rendered in stylized geometric shapes. Meanings of motifs may be categorized as follows: Aesthetics, Ethics, Human Relations and Religious concepts. Adinkra are symbols common in Western African societies that represent concepts or aphorisms. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century &#8212; 19th century &#8212; 20th century &#8212; more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Adinkra are symbols common in Western African societies that represent concepts or aphorisms. ... Embroidery is an ancient variety of decorative needlework in which designs and pictures are created by stitching strands of some material on to a layer of another material. ... In various religions, sacred (from Latin, sacrum, sacrifice) or holy, objects, places or concepts are believed by followers to be intimately connected with the supernatural, or divinity, and are thus greatly revered. ... Look up motif in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Look up corpus in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Look up proverb in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... As a noun, a graphic usually refers to a computer image or picture, or an infographic, such as a chart. ... The Parthenons facade showing an interpretation of golden rectangles in its proportions. ... For other uses, see Ethics (disambiguation). ... Religious is a term with both a technical definition and folk use. ...

Wood carving

Traditional wood carvings are divided into many branches, each with its own specialists. Among the major products are wooden sculptures and talking-drums (ntumpane).

The famous wooden "stools" are symbolic and ritual objects rather than items of furniture. The ownership of a symbolic carved chair or stool, usually named after the female founder of the matriclan, became the means through which individuals traced their ancestry. These lineages have segmented into branches, each led by an elder, headman, or chief. A branch, although it possesses a stool, is not an autonomous political or social unit. Possession of the ritually important stool is seen as vital, not only to the existence of the elder but to the group as a whole. Autonomy is the condition of something that does not depend on anything else. ...

A blacksmith at work in Bolgatanga.

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... For other uses, see Blacksmith (disambiguation). ... Bolgatanga, colloquially known as Bolga, is a town in the Upper East region of Ghana. ...

Metallurgy

The most sacred symbol of the Ashanti people is the Golden Stool, a small golden throne in which the spirit of the people is said to reside. It is kept in safekeeping in Kumasi, the cultural capital of the Ashanti people and the seat of the Asantehene's palace. Though the chieftaincy across Ghana has been weakened by allegations of corruption and cooperation with colonial oppression, it remains a very vital institution in Ghana.
To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Kumasi is the capital city of the Ashanti region of Ghana. ...

See also

• Islam in Ghana
• Social conduct in Ghana
• National Museum of Ghana
• Oware
• Roman Catholicism in Ghana

Larabanga Mosque The spread of Islam into West Africa, beginning with ancient Ghana in the ninth century, was mainly the result of the commercial activities of North African Muslims. ... Customs regarding an appropriate show of respect are very important in Ghana. ... The National Museum in Accra is the largest and oldest of the six museums under the administration of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board. ... Owari game from Cameroon. ... The Roman Catholic Church in Ghana is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. ...

References & Further Reading

• National Commission on Culture (Ghana), Official Website
• Ghana: a Country Study
• People and Culture of Ghana Africa Guide

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c} Ghana: a Country Study

Some of the information, where noted, was reproduced from Ghana: a Country Study edited by LaVerle Berry. With the exception of some of the photographs, which are clearly marked in the photograph's caption, text and graphics contained in the online Country Studies are not copyrighted. They are considered to be in the public domain and thus available for free and unrestricted use. As a courtesy, however, we ask that appropriate credit be given to the series.