just a reminder

Just a reminder that signup deadline for TEXTILE WORKSHOP in GHANA is Feb. 1.
If you'd like the rest of the brochure: aba@culturalcollaborative.org

The workshop is July 17 - 30, 2016.

Textile Workshop 2016

TEXTILE WORKSHOP IN GHANA  July 17 - July 30, 2016
A hands on opportunity to learn African textile techniques in the context of their culture from indigenous artisans. Stay at our guest house/cultural center in a fishing village and experience the rich history and culture of Ghana as a participant and not as a tourist.
For more information send to aba@culturalcollaborative.org for a brochure.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GHANA

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GHANA On March 6, 1957 Ghana was the first sub-Saharan country to gain independence from a colonial power.

Come join us July 19 - August 1 to celebrate  http://www.culturalcollaborative/textile2014.pdf We'll drum and dance - visit the market women- galleries - museums and have workshops at Aba House in traditional African textile techniques.

WHY ARE AFRICAN TEXTILES IMPORTANT? One of our concerns in Ghana is the loss of traditional textile techniques. Young artisans want to be modern and also don't want to do the tedious work required to be authentic. There was a time when it took a weaver three months to make a kente cloth. Now, many weavers rush to get cloth ready for the five day market. And now the traditional stamped adinkra cloth is giving way to silk screen. Visually a very different look. Why? Silk screened images can be bigger, ink is cheaper and printing is faster. Adinkra stamping is a cultural tradition in Ghana and one immediately recognized as being unique. Silk screened adinkra isn't. Ironically, there's an adinkra symbol that means: PEOPLE WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR HISTORY ARE LIKE A TREE WITHOUT ROOTS.

The image above is silk screened. Soon the stamped cloth is going to be a collectors item.

the Asante

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lXyh7Bg8Oo&feature=player_detailpage

This is a documentary about the Asante- the largest ethnic group in Ghana. As you will see in the film, animal sacrifice is part of African rituals. In the USA a ritual was just celebrated where they sacrifice a turkey. It's usually the chicken who looses in Africa.
If you saw the photo of a ceremonial umbrella in my living room, you can see them in action in this film.

interesting film

I want to tell you about Anita Loshmanova. You will be interested in her if you like African textiles,
African culture, Ghanaian textiles and culture.
Anita is working on a documentary called The Dye(e)ing art of African Textiles.
The trailer can be seen on YouTube. Take a look.
She also has a FB page if you feel so inclined. Cross Cultural Collaborative has a FB page too and we like to have friends (if you feel so inclined.)

activities at Aba House Jan. 2013

A generous donation allowed us to cook lunch for the kids and another donation brought 50 pair of sneakers.
We had a batik workshop and Sharon collected stories. Ghanaians all have stories to tell.

If you'd like to signup for our infrequent newsletters contact aba@culturalcollaborative.org

If you'd like to come to Ghana as a volunteer, workshop participant or tourist just let us know. We are planning our summer program.

Textile workshop in Ghana

July 8 - 21 ,2012

Memories of Africa Textile Workshop

sponsored by Cross Cultural Collaborative

This is an opportunity to work with indigenous African artists at our cultural center in Ghana.

Learn African textile techniques, visit traditional textile villages, go to large outdoor markets, galleries, museums and much more.

Please go to:

http://www.culturalcollaborative.org/textile2012.pdf

for details. If there are any questions : aba@culturalcollaborative.org

African textile workshop

Once upon a time, in Ewe villages of Ghana, women would save a small piece of each piece of cloth that they bought and add it to a patchwork. For those with alot of cloth this was a public display of wealth.

The culture of African cloth is so fascinating that we offer a workshop each summer where participants can learn textile techniques from African artisans, visit museum and galleries, cloth markets and villages.

African textile workshop in Ghana

August 2- 15, 2009

Workshops and accommodations are at Aba House, a building based on indigenous African architecture located in a fishing village across the street from the ocean. Attending will give the unique opportunity of interacting with Ghanaians on a personal level.

You can download a brochure at http://www.culturalcollaborative.org

or contact aba@culturalcollaborative.org