COME WITH US TO GHANA

APRIL 17 - MAY 1,2009

Limited to 12 participants, this tour is for bead enthusiasts and people interested in African drum and dance. There will be opportunities to observe and participate in traditional drum and dance and there will be a unique opportunity to attend the DIPO*

Airfare from Boston, MA is included in the price . We will meet at Logan airport on April 17 and fly to Ghana together. If it's more convenient for you to fly from someplace else, we can work something out.

We will stay in a fishing village at Aba House across the street from the ocean. Activities will include a visit to Pa Joe's workshop where amazing coffins are made in the shape of fish, cars, planes, pineapples....the list goes on. Pa Joe is featured in the book "Going into Darkness."
There will be adinkra, tie and dye and batik workshops for those interested and also drum and dance workshops and performances.

A trip into Accra to a large outdoor market to buy cloth and then to the seamstress or The Annointed One (our tailor) to have an outfit made. You'll find that you dance better when dressed for the part.
There will also be visits to the National Museum, Nkrumah Mausoleum and galleries.

We will drive to Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region to visit important sites and then to surrounding crafts villages to see demonstrations of wood carving, Kente weaving and adinkra stamping...and of course there will be time to buy from the artisans. No middle men here.

* The high point of this tour will be in Odumse Krobo. The Krobo are famous for their recycled glass beads and we will go to the bead market and then to Cedi's** workshop to see how the beads are made and then......(drum roll) we attend the DIPO ceremony. This is a coming of age ceremony for Krobo girls who are draped in the family beads. Very few outsiders have the privilege of observing this ceremony.

** Cedi is represented in almost every book that mentions Krobo beads. You can read a bit about him at bullseyeglass,com/glassforlife
where he is featured in one of their ads.

Before leaving Ghana we will meet a 95 year old Krobo woman who can tell us about the history of the beads and we will meet with the Chief of Nungua (the fishing village where we stay). Both of these people are fascinating and talking to them gives us an insight into Ghanaian culture.

In Ghana , sometimes the sponstaneous occassions are the best. Maybe we'll happen upon a traditional funeral where the drumming and dancing are mesmerizing or we'll be there when the fishermen pull in their catch.

COST: $ 2699.00 (based on 12 participants)

INCLUDES: airfare from Boston, MA - airport transfer in Ghana - accommodations based on double occupancy - some meals - one bottled water a day - van - driver - guide - fuel - entrance fees - workshops fees
NOT INCLUDED: all lunches - 4 dinners and 3 breakfasts - tips

DUE ON OR BEFORE SEPT. 30 : $1900.00 BALANCE DUE: ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1

When deposit is recieved information will be sent about how to prepare for your trip. In the meantime if you have any questions please contact: aba@culturalcollaborative,org

This tour is being offered by Cross Cultural Collaborative, Inc, which has been introducing people to Ghanaian culture for over 20 years.

*************WE PROMISE THAT THIS WILL BE A MEMORABLE JOURNEY ***********