October 8, 2010
Day 22 – He’s One of Us!
Have you ever wondered where your Ancestors come from? I mean the exact country, village, house that they came from? I have always wondered that for myself; especially, once I learned of my African heritage. Then, once I learned of how Africans throughout the Diaspora were getting insight through DNA testing, that ‘wonder’ became a BURNING DESIRE. I found out my linkages to Africa on my Mother’s AND Father’s side through the DNA testing. My Mother’s side linked me with the revolutionary Balantas of Guinea Bissau and my Father’s linked me to a Central Africa Republic nation that is linked to the Twa people. The exact name of the nation escapes me at this time. I have plans to visit Guinea and Guinea Bissau next year to meet my peeps and reconnect with my roots so that I can continue to tell the story. It is so empowering as an African born in America to be able to know and speak out the exact linkages of MY Ancestors.
We are taking Jen to Last Bath in Assin Manso. We called Daniel the Driver, who I just learned during this trip, is Isaac’s older Brother. Isaac is the Teacher that I asked to help out Esi and that we want to replace Esther when she leaves. Daniel is real laid back and cool; but has always taken care of me whenever I needed to go somewhere long distant and didn’t want to spend a lot of money. I hadn’t seen him this trip, so I thought he traveled. When Kofi couldn’t find a Driver to take us to Last Bath at a reasonable price, Esther called and gave us Daniel’s new number.
When we arrived at Last Bath, I was reminded that this would be Kofi’s first trip here. Also, Daniel decided to take the tour with us this time rather than stay with the car. I could see throughout the tour that the information was touching Daniel. It was so inspiring to watch the way that the tour was stimulating Kofi and Daniel that my wheels were turning in my head. I am beginning to see what Dr. Perbi was talking about when she said that we need to develop our own curriculum and program to teach Ghanaians as well about this Slave Route. I have been here so many times that they know me very well here. The Office Manager asked if I would like to conduct the tour or should he. I am flattered whenever they ask me that, but I always defer to them because I always learn something new with each tour that I take. Jen was very pleased with the tour and said to me,”It’s all coming together for me now, Kojo.” That was a blessing to hear. If she only knew that once most Europeans visit the Castle Dungeons, they don’t want to go any further with the heritage tour. I will have to share that with her. So, she will be another promoter for truth.
I went to the tour Manager to find out about the fee and he sent me to one of his Staff people. Before he went to his office he told his staff, “Please take anything Kojo Bey wants to give, because he is one of us; we can’t charge him.” Ase! Music to My Ears! Ahhhhhhhh…
As we approached our turn off to Brenu, we passed the village by the police barrier and we see people lined up on the sides of the road. We notice a body of a man on the ground dead from what seems like a hit and run. Daniel stopped to see what happened and who it is. I didn’t need to know anything so I tuned it out. But I thought about how here in Ghana, a dead body is BIG news when it doesn’t come as a result of sickness or old age. Well, funerals are a BIG deal as well, but I mean people are not being killed or dying violently on a regular basis like other nations. It is sad to see that this man has lost his life like he did, but this incident has also raised my consciousness even more to how much I love the peace here in Ghana. A peace that I pray will prevail throughout Ghana’s pursuit to court America and find its way with its newly found OIL.
I end my day, by walking Sista Esther and Otwidom home and on my way back, I find my chest thumping from the bass of the sound system blasting through the village from the site of the second funeral in a week here. The Elders are crossing over and the young people here are NOT stepping it up. They are drinking, smoking wee (Herb), and hanging out. The funerals last for days here. They play loud music continuously for about 3 days. It’s a beautiful sight to see how we celebrate our people’s going home ceremonies here, but we have to do something about the next generation. Sound familiar family. LOL!!!
“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed. It’s Time to Take Me Home!”
Love Family.
