Ewe culture, arts, design

Experience Traditional weaving of kente is one skill that our elders ensure we learn from an early age. They believe that skills are very useful in making individuals responsible and even have a source of livelihood. From a young age, about 10 yrs I was priviledged to learn traditional kente weaving. At first when I started learning this skill, I was so excited because as children we were always enthused about how the weaving is done. Gradually, as I progressed in the skill and wove longer clothes, it was then realized that hardwork and a mindset for work is needed to be resilient and weave. This is so because when weaving, much energy is required to be able to stay inside the loom and work. Before stretching the cloth set-up in the loom, my guardians ensure that the place is swept nicely, all chores done and then I even take breakfast. Before beginning to weave, I first needed to learn how to prepare the weaving thread which in the Ewe language is called "detsifofo". There i...

About two years after I had bought a laptop which was a used one, it started developing an issue. The problem was that during that time, when I boot the computer it takes longer time to boot. Little did I know that there was an issue with the hard disk inside the computer. Eventually, it doesn't boot or start any longer and it got me worried. I tried communicating the issue with some friends with IT expertise but because they were afar all these diagnosis didn't solve the problem. A decision was then made and the laptop was taken to a repairer to check what exactly the issue was. Thorough check revealed that the hard disk had a fault and would need a replacement. Replacing the disk with a new one so everything could work properly again wasn't the concern but there was a rather major concern. Basics in information technology (IT) Will the stored files be retrievable? This was the question I asked the technician because there were some important files I couldn't afford to...

Plantains are not readily available throughout the year which means that they are seasonal. However, it is also interesting to know how short plantain can last and stay in good shape for consumption especially when it is bought ripe. This is one of the reasons why I decided to explore some ways to preserve them from going waste knowing very well after the season I may not chance upon it easily to buy. Well, it is no strange hack but then it is quite interesting to know. Even if you know all these ways, you might have trivialized them haven't been making use of them but this will be an energizer to cause you to preserve those plantains in your kitchen so they don't end up as waste. First of all, before purchasing plantain, I consider the purpose of purchase and then the price. At times because it is in abundance, even some small amount can be many so all these considerations are done. If I realize that the plantains might be kept a little longer in the house before consumption, ...

Communication design which encompasses Graphic design happens to be one of the significant professional courses currently considering how vital designers are in our world today. Becoming a professional therefore in a field like this will mean a person subjects him or herself under a professional training to come out well churned and refined for the profession. As part of the requirements for a degree in design, the students need to intern in an industry or company in their respective fields of expertise in order that they acquire professional skills and practices. This is so crucial because in the classroom, since some facilities cannot be accessed, the learner would have to be connected to a company where he gets that experience to add to his or her knowledge and professional experience. One intern reading Communication Design with a specialization in Visual Communication was fortunate to have been sent to a printing industry and in this post, we will delve into the new things the lea...

Once again, Ewe names stand to be of one unique kind in that the reason for the names is more than just the name itself. In this post, we look at these two names and what is worth learning from them.  Among the Ewes of Ghana, a number of names can be translated as Joy and an example is 'Dziedzorm'. Dziedzorm literally means 'I was joyful or happy'. Dzidzor translates into English as 'Happiness or joy'. Dzidzorli also translates into English as 'There is Joy'.   Now 'Dziedzorm' is a name that would be given to a child due to a number of reasons and some of these include: If the child came at an opportune time Maybe a couple wanted a male or female child and by a miracle that prayer gets answered, the parents can name a child as such. As a way of telling God throughout the life of the child since a name like this is given because as the child is called by this name, the parents are forever reminded of God's miraculous intervention and favour...

Coconut is known in the Ewe Language as " ene " and in Twi, it is known as " kube ". In the Volta Region, many lands have at least one coconut tree planted because coconut tree provides some income for the farmers. Uses of coconut . The Ewes, therefore, call this toffee, 'ene toffee' and the Akans 'kube toffee'. The coconut can be sold fresh, the dry ones are sold and for use for different products and even the husks are also sold separately. Now, one of the many products made from coconut is toffee. This toffee is made and sold in different markets and has that market demand because it is a lovely candy locally made in Ghana. To make coconut candy, plenty of ingredients are not needed but only two and everything is set. Coconut candy Ingredients for making coconut toffee Dry coconut Sugar Tea leaf Dry coconut is obtained and after breaking to access the nuts, they are washed very well and then ground at the mill or if the quantity is small, a metal ...

The industry today including businesses of all kinds has grown through the adoption of technology for various needs and one of the key areas driving this growth is the digital media. Gone were the days when only print media was the active means of transmitting information from businesses to prospective customers, buyers, viewers etc. Digitalization in the 21st century has revolutionized communication to a level where companies, businesses, schools, entrepreneurs and what have you have the dying need to keep up with the pace of advancement in information transmission.  We will look into this topic to understand the reasons why a lot of students desire to read Communication or elsewhere Graphic Design in the tertiary. Opportunities to offer Worldwide opportunities for professionals in the field of Communication Design keep opening all the time. Whether for digital marketing for businesses, advertising design services for firms, industries, political posters, or communication media b...

Maize is one of the most consumed starchy crops consumed in Ghana. This means that the food products or dishes prepared from this very important grain are a lot. We will be exploring some of these food products and what special things there are to know about each of them.  Dzowoe This is made from roasted corn flour with groundnut paste, sugar, nutmeg, powdered pepper and salt. Read more AKPLE Akple is made from corn flour. It is a food prepared and known to be the favorite of the Ewes of Ghana. This notwithstanding, akple is not only consumed among the Ewes but in almost all the regions or tribes in Ghana. Akple is prepared with corn flour, salt and sometimes gari to add a particular aroma to the meal. It is eaten with all kinds of soups or stews like groundnut soup, palm oil soup, okro soup or stew, aborbi tadi, among many others. Explore how akple is prepared in detail. This food is without doubt one of the popular foods in Ghana which is made from maize or simply put corn flo...

Tom brown is called so due to its characteristic brown color. There can be kinds of tom brown depending on the individual ingredients used. Tom brown powder can be found in shops to purchase and use for porridge. For some households, purchasing something like this from outside is not a hobby so they make their own at home. To make your own tom brown at home, the only thing of concern is whether there is a corn mill near you and if that is available, all is set. Ingredients These ingredients are not strictly used because every one with his or her preferred ingredients. Some also make a decision on the kind of ingredients to include based on one or two considerations whilst some also like to mix a variety of cereals. I will provide a list of ingredients that can all be used to make tom brown. Corn Groundnut Soya beans beans Sorghum Millet Spices Dried chili pepper Ginger All these ingredients have to be roasted in an empty pan over low heat until it turns brownish. Once all the ingredie...

  In the Ewe Language spoken by the Ewes of Ghana, 'agbeli' means 'cassava' and hence the word 'agbeli kaklo' means 'cassava fritters'. In the Twi Language also, 'cassava' is known as 'bankyi' and hence the name 'bankyi kakro' means cassava fritters. This food is made from cassava and it has a great taste and mostly women are the people who produce and even sell commercially. Since cassava is farmed in most communities of the country, many food products are produced from this root tuber and one of them is the 'cassava fritters'. Culturally, it shows the kind of food crops produced in the land and also prevents cassava from going to waste in case there is abundant harvest that spoilage might be a threat. It is a way of value addition as well.  I didn't like to eat cassava fritters because I just had a dislike for it but suddenly after some time, I dared to try and wow the taste caught me and I ever since loved it. I am ...

Coconut is used for a variety of purposes such as for cooking oil production , toffee or candy, and as an ingredient for starch biscuits popularly known in Ghana as Ayigbe biscuit.  These many uses of coconut are the reasons why this post is absolutely relevant one that will disclose a kind of candy made from coconut. Coconut candy is made from basically two ingredients. Procedure Two major ingredients are needed to prepare coconut candy and those ingredients are: Coconut(dry or semi-dry) Sugar The coconut is cut, removed from its kernel or shell and then washed nicely before proceeding to the next stage. For this candy, no particular kind of coconut is a strict requirement except that a fresh coconut with a very soft nut cannot be used. It is the hard nut that is actually made use of for this candy. Dry coconut, freshly cut. After it is removed from the kernel, it is washed nicely before grating With a good metal grate, the coconut is now grated into smaller pieces. Alternatively,...

How to prepare dzowoe Dzowoe is mainly made from corn flour and groundnut paste. It is mostly made in a round form but new innovations make it possible to package it in disposable containers that are cylindrical among other shapes. It is one indigenous food product found in Ghana most especially in villages as well as in urban areas where people happen to love it. Dzowoe is such that once eaten, it can satisfy becomes as you consume, more water is drunk and the stomach is filled. Follow closely as you discover how this special Ghanaian food product is made so you can also try it in the comfort of your home. Ingredients Corn flour Powdered pepper Salt Sugar Powdered nutmeg Groundnut paste The above ingredients are standard but even with as minimal ingredients as corn flour, sugar, groundnut paste and salt, you are still able to make it. The additional ingredients add some sweet essence to it that makes it so enjoyable. Dzowoe has a characteristic brown colour which is due to the colour ...