(Spencer) 16000 Words of Karaga

I could think of no better way to give a introduction to Karaga than to let pictures speak for themselves (plus a caption)..so I suppose speak for themselves with context!

The surrounding landscape of Karaga, it is all farmland now. I have been told that fifteen years ago when the population was much less, it was a great forest. In the rainy season Ghana becomes very green all over but in the dry season, it is desert like. This photo is two weeks old, even now the landscape has been transformed by the rain into something much more green. 

Karaga from a distance, high in a tree. Expect more tree related shots..they serve a two fold purpose; provides a great viewing angle and I get to climb trees! 

The first heavy rains I have experienced, it is as though buckets are being dumped from the skies. Seriously intense downpours occur every few days. There is much happiness for a good rain, as almost everybody is a farmer. 

Early morning at 7am, I hear a chopping sound and cannot understand where it could be coming from. Soon after a large CRASH! I peer a man cutting off all the limbs of a tree, I am mortified; why ever would he cut off all the limbs of the a tree? An answer soon came, since it is rainy season the tree will quickly re-sprout and more limbs than before will grow back to take place of the old. This is done so the tree will produce a better quality of shade for people to stand under. Though all that stand at the moment is a very tall stump.

Defying gravity? She noticed me taking a photo of the man cutting down the tree, and wanted one of herself. After seeing it she split with smiles, I thought for a moment the barrels would fall but she is a pro. 

Some of the child that live in the compound I am staying at, and the neighboring compound. Maria is holding up the boy Baba. 

It is seriously difficult to get children to stay in one spot even for 5 seconds, the very moment after this was taken they charged the camera to see. 

Baba (a common Dagomba name meaning everyones father) made this face consistantly while I was taking photos, he will be very happy when he learns I shared his talents =) 

Latifa preparing the nightly meal of T-Z, a meal made of maize flour very similar to nsima but more tasty (take that Kevin, Hahahaha)

 One of the old ladies of the compound, right after this photo she took up the camera and took some photos. Oh the joy it brought to her, she laughed as all the children made silly faces and yearned to be the ones in the shot. She is preparing the soup for the T-Z, which is called braa (pronounced like a ladies bra but with a longer ahh sound)

 Yours truly. Suhuyini.

 Obligatory puppy picture. Awe =)

A perfect example of a Ghanaian when having their photo taken. This man, Alex, is very happy and has a super large smile. Prior to this photo we were laughing about work and having a silly time, I asked to take his photo, he stiffened right up, all expression left his face while he waited. Once it was over he starts smiling again and laughs terribly in joy when he sees the photo. There is nothing to be happy about when you are having your picture taken, its serious business to be sure.

 A group of guys sitting at their sitting spot (people will have a particular sitting spot where they always sit). This also happens to be close to where the tro's drop and pick people up.

The path that is beside the compound I am living at. The path is normally very busy but it is 7pm and so it is time to pray for the majority of people living nearby. Baobab trees line the background along with some Nimsa trees (good trees for getting chewing sticks, keeps your teeth clean).

Taken by Ashzara another of the old ladies of the compound, everyone loves to take photos. What you cant see it that there is nearly fifteen children surrounding her trying to get their chance to use the camera. Such excitement from what in Canada is normally a mundane thing to do, taking photos. The happiness that a simple photo brings to people is astounding and humbling.

More to come as always.

Sending love from Ghana

Spencer