Ipods in Accra (19 page)

Nick whispered in my ear. ‘You look really kissable tonight.'

I gazed up at him. ‘What, kissable in public?'

‘Always,' he said and we kissed.

Accra

Capital city of Ghana.

adowa

A traditional dance, and also music, of the Akan people of Ghana.

Akan

Refers to the first group of settlers who came to modern day Ghana who form the largest ethnic group in Ghana. It consists of several politically independent units, such as the Asante, Akim, Akuapem and Kwahu.

ankaa

Orange (fruit).

Asante (Ashanti)

A region in Ghana. The Asante people speak Twi.

Asante Kingdom

Created between the 16th and 18th centuries and comprised of many states united under Osei Tutu the first Asantehene. It gained wealth through trade and conquests.

Asantehene

King of the Asante people.

bragoro

Puberty ceremony for girls.

duku

Ghanaian style head-scarf worn by women.

eto

Mashed onions, yams or plantain

Hip-Life

A type of West African music which is similar to hip-hop and rap.

kenkey

Corn dough cooked in corn leaves.

Kente

A colourful Asante ceremonial cloth, worn at festivals, times of thanksgiving and on special occasions. It is made of silk and woven on a hand-loom in strips, before being sewn together to form a larger cloth that is then made into garments.

Kumasi

Capital city of the Asante region in Ghana. Also known as the Garden City because of its rich vegetation.

Manshiya Palace

Home to Asantehene and the Asante Museum.

ntoma

African clothing made of cotton.

plantain

Part of the banana family. Comes in two varieties: green (unripe), which are cooked like potatoes, and yellow (ripe), which are usually fried, roasted or boiled.

Twi

The main dialect of the Akan language in Ghana, spoken by the Asante people.

Yaa-Asantewaa

Queen Mother of the Egweso people. She fought the British in the 1900 war.

yam

A vegetable that grows in the form of tubers. It has rough brown skin (which is peeled before cooking) and a white fleshy centre. It is cooked in a similar way to potatoes.

Aane

Yes

Aden, wonkyia wunna?

Why don't you say hello to your sister/brother/cousin?

εnyε hwee

It doesn't matter

Gyae εnka saa!

Stop, don't say that!

Maakye

Good morning

Medaase

Thank you

Mepε w'asem

I like you

Mepε wo kyεw

Please

Mese dabi

I said no

nsuo

water

Mi papa ye Ghana ni

My father is Ghanaian

Sumsum wε ha

There is a spiritual presence here

Yeda Nyame ase

Thank God

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