Product Description
The decades of independence in Ghana have strengthened the idea of a national Ghanaian culture. The culture and customs of Ghana today are a product of diversity in traditional forms, influenced by a long history of Islamic and European contact. Culture and Customs of Ghana is the first book to concisely provide an up-to-date narrative on the most significant elements of the established cultural life and institutions as well as the most recent changes in the cultural landscape. Written expressly for students and the general reader, it belongs in every library supporting multicultural and African studies curricula. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Culture and Customs of Ghana
We really enjoyed learning of the many customs, cultures, and historical events that have shaped Ghana. We are hosting an exchange student from Ghana this fall, and found this to be a wonderful resource.

Culture and Customs of Ghana
This book is an excellent resource for the general reader, the potential traveler, and the student who is seeking an uncomplicated and concise introduction to an important West African country.It holds the reader's interest throughout although it can also serve as a beneficial reference for the reader researching a particular topic.The organization is clear, logical, and balanced.Painful issues are presented fairly, honestly, and objectively, and points of pride abound.This book belongs in both general and academic collections. ... Read more

Product Description
Describes the geography, history, government, economy, people, lifestyle, religion, language, arts, leisure, festivals, and food of Ghana. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good, colorful book about Ghana
A friend loaned me a library copy of this book after I returned from a mission trip to Ghana.I wish I had seen it before I went to Ghana.I found it on Amazon for a great price and now have my own copy.I have used the recipes (I wish there were more) and frequently consult the book before doing a presentation about my trip. ... Read more

Product Description
Culture Smart! provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs and behavior in different countries, ensuring that you arrive at your destination aware of basic manners, common courtesies, and sensitive issues. These concise guides tell you what to expect, how to behave, and how to establish a rapport with your hosts. This inside knowledge will enable you to steer clear of embarrassing gaffes and mistakes, feel confident in unfamiliar situations, and develop trust, friendships, and successful business relationships.

Culture Smart! offers illuminating insights into the culture and society of a particular country. It will help you to turn your visit-whether on business or for pleasure-into a memorable and enriching experience. Contents include:

* customs, values, and traditions
* historical, religious, and political background
* life at home
* leisure, social, and cultural life
* eating and drinking
* do's, don'ts, and taboos
* business practices
* communication, spoken and unspoken

"Culture Smart has come to the rescue of hapless travellers." Sunday Times Travel

"... the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries." Global Travel

"...full of fascinating-as well as common-sense-tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas." Observer

"...as useful as they are entertaining." Easyjet Magazine

"...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world." New York Times ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Wish I Could Get a Refund for this Culturally Insensitive Book
I was very disappointed that this book seemed to be written for white people. It provides caution for "white-skinned visitors will quickly develop an unsightly layer of Ghana's ubiquitous red dust".I guess the author does not know that happens to non-white skinned visitors too.The author states "the sexually liberated Ghana Man, who can be quite unabashed in his quest for a white woman..." Does this author not realize that Ghanaian men are also attracted to non-white women??This is just sad.

I really want my money back, because I hate knowing that I paid for a book written by such a narrow-minded author.

Pretty right on!
I purchased this book for a friend of mine who was traveling with me to Ghana for her first time. I am quite familiar with Ghanaian culture and mentality and I found the book to be pretty concise. ... Read more

Product Description
". . . a book that will break new ground in African cultural studies. . . . [it] will appeal not only to literary scholars but also to social historians and cultural anthropologists."--Karin Barber

" . . . conceptually innovative, and promises to be a very important contribution to African and Postcolonial studies as a whole." --Lyn Innes

Literary Culture in Colonial Ghana offers a unique perspective on who was reading in English in colonial Ghana, what they were reading, and what values were associated with literacy, reading practices, and reading cultures. ... Read more

Product Description
There is little written by Ghanaians to help foreigners understand their culturally prescribed rules of behaviour. This fascinating book offers an introduction to the Ghanaian people and is of use to visitors to Ghana, and those interested in the country and its culture. It covers geography and demography; political history; the economy; religions and customs; institutions and ceremonies that take place at different stages in life; underlying values and rules of behaviour; amusements and festivals; places of interest and guidelines for the good traveller. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Printed in someone's garage!
This is a very low quality printed book.I do not recommend it for the price they are charging.I would pay something less then $10 but nothing more then that.I talked to one of the individuals who is reading it and he says it is o.k. I am just saying that it is very low quality and I will look for something else for this premium price. ... Read more

Product Description
Children discover and explore the rich heritage of ancient cultures around the world through fascinating myths, legends, festivals, and stories of the culture. Detailed maps and vivid illustrations show how various people lived and what they accomplished. Each book in this popular series contains five easy-to-do art projects- complete with unique punch-out stencils for making many of the traditional arts and crafts still produced today. Ages 8+ ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Hungry For More
I appreciate the book being available with the Adinkra stencils.I enjoyed projects and the suggestions in the book but I would have liked to have more than 16 stencils.This is a great book of African heritage and I was excited that it was available.

Great Art-In-Culture Resource for Children!
Although limited to Ghanian culture, this interactive publication serves as a useful resource tool and springboard in discovering the significance of symbols often found in African objects and textiles. Several Adinkra stencils symbolic of specific proverbs, social concepts and/or ideas arecontained therein; they can be effectively used in craft-related stencilingand art activities.(I used STENCILS: WEST AFRICA: GHANA for a specialSocial Studies/Language Arts unit I developed for my first graders and fora Grades 2-5 African Heritage After School Program. The use of thesematerials and information contained therein has proven educational,enlightening, and stimulating for my young learners!) West Africa: Ghana(Ancient and Living Cutlures) is worth the purchase for educators, parents,and/or those interested learning about other cultures! ... Read more

Product Description
Since democratization in 1991, the media scene in Ghana has exploded, with a slew of opposition newspapers challenging the authoritative voice of the state press.But how do journalism and democracy connect with local African practices of discourse, politics, and sociability?Examining the mix of distinctly Ghanaian discourses with imported styles of journalism, Hasty describes how state journalists reinvent the interpretive role of a chief's "linguist" (okyeame) while private journalists invoke the oppositional voice of young men's organizations (asafo), heavy with military metaphor.Nevertheless, Ghanaian journalists passionately embrace global discourses of free speech and human rights; while their everyday practices reveal crucial contradictions between global ideals and local realities.For instance, news sources typically dole out favors and cash gifts (called "soli," short for "solidarity") to journalists on assignment, indicating a complex gift economy that ritually binds journalists and politicians in hierarchical relationships of mutual need and obligation. Thus, while journalism is a global genre of discourse, emphasizing transnational professional and political ideals, this book demonstrates how the discourses and practices of journalism in Ghana are profoundly shaped by local political, historical, and cultural processes. ... Read more

Product Description
In 1963, master twentieth-century photographer Paul Strand documented Ghana, the first sub-Saharan colony to become an independent country. On the fiftieth anniversary of Ghana's independence, six New Hampshire photographers journeyed to the West African country to document the changes that occurred over the decades. This full color book covers education, medicine, fishing, crafts, markets, and many portraits of everyday life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Prepare for your trip to Ghana
I got this book for my sister and her husband because they are spending a month in Ghana this summer doing humanitarian work. I read the opening essay and was quite moved by the author, a daughter of one of Ghana's former leaders. She gave me a sense of the people of her nation, and it was good. The photos gave me a sense of the place, and it was good. The photos are exquisite and book the merits worth for those images alone; coupled with the narrative, it is, I hope, a true and wise glimpse of what one might come to know of Ghana. When my sister and brother-in-law return, I will be anxious to compare their pictures and stories to the beautiful book.

Unique Photographic Presentation of Ghana
Having been to Africa, I can attest that this volume of photographs (the result of a collaboration between six photographers) accurately illustrates daily life. The introduction makes informative reading, and the historical time chart is useful. There are some great urban shots, as well as those of fishermen, a textile craftswoman and other artisans, market scenes, colorful signage, religious iconography and services, health clinics, wildlife, and even a coffeemaker. The color (of the more than 150 images) is excellent. This would be a great gift for someone with an interest in West Africa, and it will be cherished by those with connections to Ghana (or just by those who appreciate good photography).

not your typical coffee table book
This striking collection of photographs documenting contemporary Ghana reflects a strong sense of place. Starting with the brilliant emblematic cover portrait, the viewer is welcomed into the distinctive world of everyday Ghanaians whose lives are revealed in all their diversity from fishermen and artists to port workers and women in prayer.How often do you see pictures of a man making rope, a worker carving a pirogue with an adze, a woman transporting a tub of bread on her head while she talks on a cellphone, a casket in the shape of a fish, and the ethereal beauty of dried fishing nets? The bold colors of Ghana resonate in beads and batiks, and businesses engage you with snappy names like the "God is Good Cold Store" and "Hello Furniture Work."
Caveat: the compelling images in this book may transform you from an armchair traveler to an actual explorer of this picturesque west African country.

A Great Piece of Documentary Photography
It is rare that such a sensitive portrait of a nation can be achieved in the short period of time that these six talented photographers had to shoot but the word "talented" is what made it all possible.

Each sees the country from a different point of view and the synergy produced is simply awesome. I enjoyed turning each page for the surprise that ensued and I realized that Ghana was not just another African hellhole but a place that I would ike to learn more about and visit someday.

The warm personalities of the people just jump from the pages and I immediately suggested to the principal of the predominately African-American school where I substitute teach that it be acquired for the school library.

Don't miss this one.It's got great layout, a marvelous preface by the director of the project as to how it evolved, and a great introductory essay by a woman born in Ghana who is now a U.S. scholar who discusses in folksy terms the fascinating history of the country and also refers to individual images in the book. There's also a timeline that brings you up to speed on this fascinating country's history.

When I finshed the book, it went on a special shelf in my library reserved for A-Plus photo books so I can have quick access to page through them over and over again.

You'll love this book! ... Read more

Product Description
Rituals are among the most enduring aspects of the African cultural landscape. They appear to exist outside of time, eternal and unchanging. Joseph Adjaye argues that while rituals may seem to be static, in reality, they are dynamic and changing. Through intense analysis of child naming ceremonies, libations, puberty initiation rights, funerals and two major Ghanaian festivals, Adjaye explores the interplay between ritual and audience interaction and participation. By so doing, he shows the many ways rituals have provided Ghanaians with a means to conceptualize and change their present and shape their future. In other words, rituals help individuals escape the boundaries of self by promoting a sense of collective purpose and agency. This book will appeal to not only Africanists, but to readers interested in the roles rituals play in their own lives and the ways that rituals encourage socially transforming initiatives. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Culture of Ghana, Women in Ghana, Social Conduct in Ghana, Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa, Public Holidays in Ghana, Prostitution in Ghana, Polygamy in Ghana, Omanhene, Adwoa Obosu-Mensah. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 40. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: This article is part of the series:Culture of Ghana Ghana is a country of 24 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 to the other. In Ghana,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 are often passed on through the extended family. While the customary leaders or chiefs, are given historical authority over social, family, and land-related matters. 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 affiliat...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=788753 ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Countries and Their Cultures, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 3082 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.Covers the broad range of popular religious culture of the United States at the close of the twentieth century. Beliefs, practices, symbols, traditions, movements, organizations, and leaders from the many traditions in the pluralistic American community are represented. Also includes cults and phenomena that drew followers, such as Heaven's Gale and UFOs. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Culture of Ghana. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 89. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: This article is part of the series:Culture of Ghana Ghana is a country of 24 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 to the other. In Ghana,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 are often passed on through the extended family. While the customary leaders or chiefs, are given historical authority over social, family, and land-related matters. 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 responsibilit...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=788753 ... Read more