Bolgatanga is in Northern Ghana very close to the border with Burkina Faso.
The beautiful melon shaped baskets seen all over are called Bolga baskets and ,you guessed it, are made in Bolgatanga.
We are selling a DVD of the baskets being made in a womans cooperative. The DVD also shows music and dance from Bolga. This is the area that is known for the unique designs painted on mud houses and the woman work surrounded by these inspiring motifs.
The cost of the DVD is $18.00 ( this includes shipping in the USA) and can be ordered from aba@culturalcollaborative.org
Proceeds from sales are given to the basketmakers.
You can read about the women at www.africancraft.com on the "craftsmen page". Look for Sherigu Atie-Taaba Woman's Association
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Fundraising
Not always the most fun part of the job, it's necessary. We did have fun and great success at one of our fundraisers. Go to www.rainydaymagazine.com and find the archives for May 25.
On a Friday in June , the shop called Ten Thousand Villages in Brookline, MA made us their non-profit de jour and donated 15% of sales to us during a 4 hour period in the afternoon.
We have also had in kind donations of a camera, 2 computers, a printer and household items.
We might just get everything to Ghana because our volunteers are each taking a suitcase for us.
We've also had a solar cooker donated and will use it this summer to cook the sugarcane leaves for the bookmaking. Reports on that will be in our next newsletter.
On a Friday in June , the shop called Ten Thousand Villages in Brookline, MA made us their non-profit de jour and donated 15% of sales to us during a 4 hour period in the afternoon.
We have also had in kind donations of a camera, 2 computers, a printer and household items.
We might just get everything to Ghana because our volunteers are each taking a suitcase for us.
We've also had a solar cooker donated and will use it this summer to cook the sugarcane leaves for the bookmaking. Reports on that will be in our next newsletter.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Buying shoes
We had some money left over from a donation and asked the kids how we should spend it. They all wanted shoes. Buying shoes in Ghana, like everything else there, is a challenging experience.But in the end, everyone was happy. One of the 7 year olds skipped out of the yard with his new shoes and said, "I'm going to sleep with them under my pillow."
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
more about beads
There is definately an interest in Krobo beads.
The June 2008 issue of BEADSTYLE MAGAZINE has a project that is done with recycled glass buttons - by the way, they mention Cross Cultural Collaborative.
And if you want to see a picture of Cedi, the beadmaker, and a brief bio, go to:
www.bullseyeglass.com/glassforlife
And if you get the urge to buy Krobo beads or buttons, we can sell them to you!
The June 2008 issue of BEADSTYLE MAGAZINE has a project that is done with recycled glass buttons - by the way, they mention Cross Cultural Collaborative.
And if you want to see a picture of Cedi, the beadmaker, and a brief bio, go to:
www.bullseyeglass.com/glassforlife
And if you get the urge to buy Krobo beads or buttons, we can sell them to you!
Monday, May 26, 2008
A teacher's kit for Ghana
This kit has been put together by Marcy Prager, a second grade teacher in Brookline, MA and Ellie Schimelman, an artist, teacher and the director of Cross Cultural Collaborative.It is appropriate for grades 1, 2, and 3 and helps teachers focus on on the importance of Ghanaian culture.
It contains a powerpoint presentation and movies that are learning tools about Ghana, plus many Ghanaian "artifacts".
Price is $210.00 (includes shipping in the US)
contact: marcyprager@mac.com
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
COME WITH US TO GHANAAPRIL 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 ***********
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Ghana beads
Odumase is the name for a large tree with spreadout branches where founders of Ghanaian cities liked to establish themselves. It would become a central gathering place and provide shade.
Odumase Krobo is a town in the Central Region known for its glass beads. Mention Krobo beads to a collector and they get excited!
The beads are traditionally made by men, although there are a few women beadmakers, and they are collected by women. Krobo women are very serious about their beads. They believe that if they sell one from their collection, they will experience bad luck. The beads are passed down to their daughters.
All of the beads have names. There is a large round bead called a BODOM- my dog was named bodom. In Twi, bodom means bark as in woof-woof and this bead "barks".It calls attention to itself.
The beads are made from powdered glass and look deceptively easy to make, but to be considered a master one must apprentice for at least three years.
Ghana is known for its festivals. The Krobo have two. In early Oct. they make a pilgrinage to the top of Krobo mountain. The Krobo lived on the mountain until the conquering British made them come down so they could be more easily monitored.
And in April/May the Krobo celebrate Dipo, a female coming of age ceremony. Young girls are draped in beads from the family collection or sometimes they are rented.
Cross Cultural Collaborative arranges anything that you want to do in Ghana and one of our most popular offerings centers around Krobo beads.
We can take you to Odumase Krobo
We can take you to the beadmarket
We can arrange visits and/or lessons at beadmakers workshops
We can take you to Dipo
Do you know who the most famous Krobo beadmaker is? We can introduce you to him
Not ready to go to Ghana yet? OK
Go to the VIDEO page at http://www.culturalcollaborative.org/ and look at some clips of beadmaking
Go to http://www.africancraft.com/
under CRAFTSPEOPLE look for Nomada Ebinezer Djaba
under SHOPS go to ABA'S SHOP and buy some beads
while you're still on the site, read the GHANA entry under country profiles to find out more about this crafts-centric country
any questions? aba@culturalcollaborative.org
P.S. "Janeen St. Louis" what's your email address?
Odumase Krobo is a town in the Central Region known for its glass beads. Mention Krobo beads to a collector and they get excited!
The beads are traditionally made by men, although there are a few women beadmakers, and they are collected by women. Krobo women are very serious about their beads. They believe that if they sell one from their collection, they will experience bad luck. The beads are passed down to their daughters.
All of the beads have names. There is a large round bead called a BODOM- my dog was named bodom. In Twi, bodom means bark as in woof-woof and this bead "barks".It calls attention to itself.
The beads are made from powdered glass and look deceptively easy to make, but to be considered a master one must apprentice for at least three years.
Ghana is known for its festivals. The Krobo have two. In early Oct. they make a pilgrinage to the top of Krobo mountain. The Krobo lived on the mountain until the conquering British made them come down so they could be more easily monitored.
And in April/May the Krobo celebrate Dipo, a female coming of age ceremony. Young girls are draped in beads from the family collection or sometimes they are rented.
Cross Cultural Collaborative arranges anything that you want to do in Ghana and one of our most popular offerings centers around Krobo beads.
We can take you to Odumase Krobo
We can take you to the beadmarket
We can arrange visits and/or lessons at beadmakers workshops
We can take you to Dipo
Do you know who the most famous Krobo beadmaker is? We can introduce you to him
Not ready to go to Ghana yet? OK
Go to the VIDEO page at http://www.culturalcollaborative.org/ and look at some clips of beadmaking
Go to http://www.africancraft.com/
under CRAFTSPEOPLE look for Nomada Ebinezer Djaba
under SHOPS go to ABA'S SHOP and buy some beads
while you're still on the site, read the GHANA entry under country profiles to find out more about this crafts-centric country
any questions? aba@culturalcollaborative.org
P.S. "Janeen St. Louis" what's your email address?
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