We are now a few days in on our 14-day trip, and it is hard to describe the effect that the Ghanaian, and even broader African, culture is having on me. I would like to share some reflections on our journey so far…
Music and Dance
Ms. Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame’s story about how hard work and bravery helped her to persevere as a young child with a disability into adulthood, was so inspiring to me. Oforiwa, who has been a teacher, an advocate, and also a volunteer at the United Nations, sang a song that took me back to my childhood, when I was 9 years old in an African dance group. This group was directed by Diama Battle from The Art of Black Dance and Music, in Boston, MA. Our group met a couple of times a week, and we practiced for what was soon to be a Kwanzaa celebration which included an abundant feast along with our dance performances. One of the few songs we learned, to accompany an African dance routine, was the song, “Che Che Koolay” that Oforiwa sang during our workshop! I immediately connected with her, and reconnected to my childhood days of dancing to these words. This brought back so many memories. Back then, I didn’t appreciate how Diama’s lessons about the connections between African dance and music were very similar to the ideas that we have been learning about at WTIG this week from Dr. Kwashie Kuwor and Dr. Kofi Antonio (that Krista explained in an earlier blog). Having this taught to me as an adult, and even getting the chance to perform an African dance decades later, brings to me a whole new appreciation for music and dance from the different countries of west Africa.
Cape Coast Castle
At the Cape Coast Castle/“Door of No Return”, I noticed the many windows, in different sizes, shapes and purposes throughout. I started to think of how we use windows… for light, air, viewing, warmth, but never for seeking freedom or survival, as the slaves did. Being in the slave dungeons at the castle made me realize how often we take simple things for granted…such as windows. Never could I have imagined what I experienced on this day. The different emotions jumbled up in my mind were bittersweet, as I tried to both empathize with my ancestors who suffered this repulsive brutality and demise, and yet, celebrate their afterlife and be able to proudly walk back through the “Door of Return” as a descendant.
In Front of the “Door of Return”
The Windows in the Slave Dungeons
Thank you WTIG for this amazing, life-changing experience! I look forward to what lies ahead on this powerful journey.
Tasha Summers
Grade 5 Humanities
The Park School, Brookline, MA