Ghana Books

Sunkwa is a collection of heartfelt poems about how precious life is and how difficult it is when someone looses their life. It intertwines African and American values to provide a truely touching account of an assimulated life style. The writing style is as if it is the author's soul poured out onto paper.

I used many of the stories in this book as resources for interdisciplinary projects between my 7th grade English class and the world history class. For one project, groups of students picked one story, wrote a short play dramatizing it, and then performed it in traditional African garb. Some made props as well, but they were also encouraged to pantomime the actions, which required some knowledge of the everyday West African way of life. Because the book weaves Asanti language into the dialog, it also was an opportunity for students to acquaint themselves with the language. The costuming was very easy, as it was mostly long pieces of fabric draped and tied in tradition African fashion--another opportunity to explore the fabrics and crafts indigenous to West Africa. We even added some African drums and music . . . a big hit with the boys. I sometimes had the students write, illustrate, and bind their own African tale after reading several examples from the book and studying the themes. This, too, was a project the students enjoyed and learned a lot from. The authorship of this book and rich illustrations provide an authentic and accessible starting point for creative projects that allow students to extend their language skills and apply their knowledge of history.

In analyzing "Testimonies of Exile" a number of themes were realized. The poet's major theme that runs through the fifty-six poems is the theme of alienation from her homeland, Ghana. Alienation as treated is seen as moving from ones country and not being able to go back due to situations that one cannot help. Abena discusses alienation bringing out other forms such as alienation from one's culture, history and from oneself. She again discusses the fact that through alienation one now has acquired self-knowledge. Alienation from ones culture is seen in the poem Exile which also happens to discuss alienation in its totality. That is being alienated prevents one to perform his cultural rites like funerals, and the effect is permanent alienation from ones culture Again we find alienation from oneself or ones wishes in the poem "A sense of writing" in this poem the poet is unable to write a script because of her inability to gather her thoughts. In terms of style, the language was identified to be simple and self-explanatory. She also uses versification in her poems, that is, some poems are single stanzas example "Petition" and others have more than one stanzas like "Testimonies for Father." She also uses symbols in her presentation, for instance the use of "communion wine and Wafer" in "Testimonies for Father" when she compares their love for their father to the love Christians share for Christ. Abena beautifully combines her style and themes in her collection. One can say that there is congruity between the two. We realize that through her style of presentation, her themes are very well exploited. Again, in her use of internal monologue, her themes are well exploited. In presenting the theme of alienation from oneself, for instance, Abena writes "and anyway I can't go home" as if she is talking to herself. She uses very simple words as well as lower case letters in starting the poem. The poem lacks punctuation marks. This leaves us to realize that she is by herself since the rules of writing are not applied when one is talking to oneself. Again, through her titles of the poems, her themes are well presented. She uses titles that directly expose her subject matter; that is to say, her titles are directly and forcefully presented. For example, the title "Exile" portrays the subject matter instantly. It could be said finally that the themes and stylistic features of Abena Busia's poems complement each other in depicting the poetic vision of the writer. Thus on can say that there is a great deal of congruity between the subject matter and the style of the poems of Abena Busia's TESTIMONIES OF EXILE.

I had heard a lot of good things about this book from quotes from LDS General Authorities, and I was not disappointed. Highly recommended. Great faith and wonderful stories.

Thomas Lee Turmam volunteers to teach architecture in Ghana for a year in the 60s after graduating from college. This book is selection of the events he experienced while in Ghana. Some of the events are humorous while others are not. Turman taught at Laney College in Oakland for 30+ years before retiring from teaching in 2003 and he is still a practicing architect.

Although written almost 40 years ago, still strikingly actual. Compared to current day Ghana, the book has lost none of its value for those who want to find out more as to how Ghanaians experience Europeans and moreover: why.

Sharpe, intelligent analysis. One of the best I have read in the subject.

From Table of Contents:

* Introduction
* Building a Xylophone
* Performance
* Using Ghanaian Pentatonic Xylophone Music in Education
* Transcriptions of Xylophone Music - as taught by Joseph Kobom

From Introduction:

"The xylophone (gyil) in Ghana is played mainly in the Upper West region of the country by people speaking the Dagaare and Sisaala languages, whose territory also extends into Burkina Faso.

The information and music presented in this book was provided by Joseph Kobom who learned to play the xylophone in his home town of Nandom in Northern Ghana, and who is now an instructor at the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana.

In some areas the instrument is considered to be sacred and is played only for funerals. However in the Wa district the xylophone is not played for funerals and in the central (Jirapa) area xylophones are frequently used for all kinds of musical occasions."

I liked this book very much. Granted the plot is a little different but the way it's written is beautiful. There are so many quotes I could pull that are just magnificent. All together it's a pretty good book and didn't end at all like I thought it would.

I read this book several years ago and loved it. I bought it just to read again and it was just as good the second time. The writer explores relationships from a man and womans perspective and reflects on how our childhood really affects our choices in relationships. Easy read, very easy to transform yourself to the coast of Africa and to the Islands and watch the story unfold.

This book paints the story of a brilliant but realistically flawed protagonist (Solomon), cycling through seasons of living with a Carribean wife, a Ghanaian wife, and a woman in New York City who abstains from commitment for ten years because she is secretly in love with him. Being an American man, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the blind devotion of the three women towards a character who isn't convincingly charming in anything other than description.

The book does take too long developing, with no real plot until about halfway in. However, this book begins to become compelling once Solomon breaks his seasonal pattern and is forced to confront his polygamy, which is only acceptable in the Ghanaian culture but in practice not satisfying to anyone. It's hard to sympathize with Solomon, who, despite his professional significance as a writer bridging multiple cultures, is utterly flaky, selfish, and irresponsible in his treatment of women. But this is a realistic and cross-cultural look at what makes committed relationships work.

I read this book years ago, I have since read it several times over; I don't usually re-read novel. This one is like a favorite movie. My only problem is that she has not written another book. I love the story and her style of writing.

I read this book for the first time 6 years ago. I enjoyed it so much that I have been waiting with bated breath for Ms. Busia to write another book. I suggested Beento Blackbird for my book club and recently re-read it. It was even better the second time around. This is on my top 10 list of all time favorite books.

Ms. Busia is a very gifted writer and story teller. The way she linked the Carribean, Africa and the United States through the experiences of one man (Solomon) was masterful. The thing that most impressed me about the book was that she dared to tackle a "taboo" subject, polygamy, and did it in such a manner as to not put off the reader. As an American woman, my instinctual response to Solomon would be to dislike him and write him off as a cad. And, to some extent, I feel that he was a cad. However, I was still able to care about him and empathize with him. I also liked how she presented the subject matter from the point of view of the wives, Miriam and Ashia. I was able to understand their motives and why they made the decisions they made, whether or not I agreed with those decisions.

Another thing I liked is that all three main characters were strong. Even in times of weakness, you could still feel their strength. Neither character sold themselves out. I respected them. By the same token, the author's character development was so complete that even the peripheral characters were significant and I was able to see their importance to the story.

Her prose is very lyrical and descriptive. I felt transported to the Carribean and Ghana. I could feel the breeze from the ocean, I could smell and taste the foods, I could see the people and their activities, I could hear the music, the language... I was completely enthralled. I love when a book takes me to another place and I feel as if I am walking right beside the characters as they are living their stories. This book does that for me. Some members of my book club commented that she was a bit too "wordy" in the beginning (I did not feel this way), but were glad they "stuck it out" as the story unfolded and they enjoyed the rest of the book.

I also like that the ending provides closure. You are fairly certain of the fates of the characters and not left "hanging."
Nevertheless, Ms. Busia, I'm still holding my breath, waiting on another novel from you. How long before I can finally "exhale?" ;-)

I couldn't wait to find out what the title meant. The book was a great way to read about another culture . Anita did an awesome job of putting the reader there and having them feel the things she did. You will find this book very interesting and uplifting.
Sandy

This book is an excellent, uplifting story. It makes you feel like you were right by her side throughout her whole journey.

Also, Joel, I seriously doubt that you have ever been to Ghana, let alone read the book.

I thought "TWO WATCHES" Was FANTASTIC! Anita Tarlton Sikes Is A VERY GIFTED Author. I DIDN'T WANT THE BOOK TO END! I LOVED IT!
Leslie Carmel, Jacksonville, FL.

Two Watches

by: Anita Tarlton Sikes


Whether you think you want to be a missionary, or you know you have been called of God to, this book is a must read. Two Watches gives you an inspiring look from first person experience the many changes that take place in a persons life. Where being different makes no difference but leaves you forever changed. With descriptions so vivid you feel as though you are there experiencing it for yourself.
MomAnita, as Mrs. Sikes comes to be known writes openly and honestly about the emotions, journeys, cultural differences and the love that one walks away with. One where you walk away with a new light one can only have, having walked the paths of Ghana, West Africa.
Being called of God, not sure if she can balance the two worlds of home and the mission field, realization settles in that here, in Ghana's many villages she walks away feeling the one ministered to. " Leaving forever a piece of her heart behind." Finding Mewo fie sesei.
Two important facts stand out that I came away with. One in the statement she makes on being "civilized", " ...Civilization really has more to do with treating one's fellow man with respect, dignity, kindness and care." Two, a statement she writes that I have believed for many years but in Two Watches you see it unfold before your very eyes. " ...my family extends far beyond to people who are not blood related."
Finding that all of her life, God has been preparing her with all of her "odd self out" feelings for this very call to Ghana. One is left wanting to know more, wanting to go and experience it for themselves. With descriptive accounts of everyday life journeying into the unknown land that becomes home in your heart.
To think all of this started by what I believe to be a God thing of receiving an IM asking," Please, Are you a Christian?" Praise God for His watching even the internet and using it to reach those He chooses to call into His service.
Lisa Wade
LaGrange, GA, USA

This book was both inspirational and quite uplifting to me. We are all put here on earth to do God's work. Ms Tarlton's book spoke to the part of me who is trying to live up to those words. It is not being "self-less" but rather "self-full", full of one's self, that leads you to new places to do new things that you might never have thought possible. Ms Tarlton's book will inspire you to do "miracles" of your own in your life. Everyday miracles are much needed on this planet!