Travels - Tamika Fugh: Ghana, May 2005
The Foreign Studies 491 course held this summer in Accra, Ghana was an experiential study of religion, culture, and politics. Taking a course in Ghana, while focusing on the spiritual aspects of Accra, helps to illustrate and clarify how religion is otherwise expressed and differs across cultures. In reading about and observing religious practice and teachings, it was apparent that the culture and traditional religions in Accra were as influential to the present form of Christianity in the area as the religion itself in its historical practice and doctrine to traditional practices. The Ghana experience allowed one to gain both an academic and observational awareness of the strong sense and expression of spirituality in Accra. For example, kiosks and shops had religiously affiliated names (predominately of Muslim or Christian reference) and public transportation bore images of Jesus and scriptures or other traditional religious sayings. An Adinkra symbol, Gyenyame , meaning “Except God”, was visible in many areas. This symbol, noting the omnipotence and/or superiority of God, could be found on houses in both upper and lower income areas, chairs and vases of restaurants and of government officials and on many other surfaces of clothing and jewelry. Symbols such as this and other expressions of religion in Accra demonstrate the diversity and viability of a religion as it is expressed and adapted by other individuals and societies. Not only were western religions influenced by African culture, but also in this area was a western influence on traditional practice, worship services, and culture. The class attended a church service at Action Temple, which began with a commonly used call and response of U.S. churches and popular worship songs, which can often be heard in U.S. services. A PowerPoint hung displaying the words (in English) so that the congregation might follow along. Though such international churches display a more westernized form of worship (at least in traditional forms of Christianity), according to residents, other Christian churches and denominations have a more traditional African form of worship. Religion appears to have a much more dominant role in not only everyday life of persons in Accra but also in the government (as noted in courses on political history, newspaper articles, and furniture of historic kings.) To experience this culture and their modes of religious expression is beneficial in both a personal and an academic understanding of spirituality and cross cultural influence.