Questions and Answers about Culture & Lifestyle
1. “Kente” is a word in the Ashanti language of Ghana, which means “basket”. Ironically, the Ashanti people call the Kente fabric “nwentoma” which means “woven cloth”. 2. Authentic Kente fabric is woven by the Ewe and Ashanti tribes in Ghana. 3. The Kente cloth is known as the fabric with the most complicated weavings…
1. Best temperature for washing African Print fabric (which is cotton) is 40°C. African prints are likely to shrink by 5% after the first wash. 2. Always wash your print fabric separate from other clothing. If you have more than one print outfit to wash, group them according to colours (light separate from dark colours)….
1. Gursha (Gorsha or Goorsha) is an act of honour involving feeding another with your hand at the Ethiopian table. It may also be done as a subtle incentive to get some form of favour or recognition. 2. Gursha is an Amharic word which means “mouthful”, “tip” or “bribe”. 3. Ethiopian meal times are usually…
1. The Ohorokorva is a traditional Herero dress originating from the Victorian Era and brought into Southern Africa in the 20th century by the German Missionaries. 2. This style of dressing was initially forced on the Herero tribe by the Germans after the genocide that wiped off over 80% of the Herero population. 3. This…
42 Bitter kolas (Orogbo) 42 Tubers of yam (Isu) 42 Kolanuts (Obi abata) 42 Chilli/Alligator Peppers (Atare) 42 pieces of dried Fish (Eja Osan) 1 Dish of peppered corn meal (Aadun) 1 Packet of Sugar 2 Baskets of Fruit 2 Decanters filled with honey 4 Crates of soft drinks 4 Crates malt soft drinks 4…
Ceremony As the Yoruba Traditional Engagement commences and proceeds, there are various stages a groom and his family get to where certain fees will need to be settled. For example for any “marriage” talk to even begin, permission will need to be sought from the elders and the parents of the bride. There is also…
1. After a date has been set, the groom and his family must make sure they arrive early at the bride’s house. Late coming can attract a fine, depending on who you’re dealing with. 2. The groom and his family should wait at the gate of the bride’s family home and request to be let…
The official Ethiopian/Eritrean traditional engagement usually takes place on the day of the wedding. After lunch has been served the Bride and Groom then move on to a specially designated area of the hall for the cutting of the cake. They do this as music is played and are accompanied by some family or…
