Traveling to another country can be exciting and scary at the same time. Some of the fear comes from not knowing what to expect and how to navigate interactions. Learning a little bit of the local language and some of the local customs can put you in ‘the know’. Since it’s about more than just knowing some words and translations, these groups partnered to help Black travelers learn how to create connections and break down barriers. They offer a unique Asante Twi Language Class for Travelers designed specifically for Black travelers from the Diaspora who want to reconnect with their African ancestry.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” quote by Ancestor Nelson Mandela
“We partnered with a local Twi language expert to so our guests could learn the Ghana language Asante Twi so we could help them connect with local residents heart to heart” says Kala, manager at the Sankofa Guest House.
“We thought a quick course would be helpful to help our guests navigate through the main kinds of interactions they will have here in Ghana.”
The idea came from another partnership they have with the Sankofa Journey. For 20+ years the Sankofa Journey has been bringing black people from the Diaspora to Ghana to reconnect with their heritage and roots on a deeply cultural, spiritual collection of curated experiences. A portion of that annual pilgrimage includes learning some of the language. Participants have found it is made them feel more comfortable and more at home when visiting Ghana for the first time.
“When guests from the Sankofa Journey stayed here at the Sankofa Guest House, we saw how much it helped travelers to know a little bit of Twi. After taking the Twi Language class for travelers, they feel a lot more comfortable going out into the city and interacting with new people because there was more shared common ground.”
“You of course can’t master an entire language in a couple of hours but when local residents see that you’ve tried to learn some of the culture and language it really does break down barriers. The travelers who stay here at the Sankofa Guest House are really looking for ways to connect to their African roots so starting with language and culture makes the most sense and really makes a difference,”says Kala.
According to the description, you’ll learn both some of the language and some of the cultural customs. This way you can feel confident interacting in ways that allow you to be respectful and avoid offending people through social faux pas.
Never learned a language before? Don’t worry. The session is designed to be fun, interactive, and extremely practical and useful. You’ll learn some basic things like greetings, ordering food, and asking for directions. You will also learn some cultural things like negotiating with shopkeepers who all expect to barter, some traditional daily activities, and more on the spot. You’ll also get some tips so you don’t have to worry with a lot of memorization. “After this Twi language class, much of this will come naturally for you.” says the instructor, renowned scholar, Dr. Obadele Kambon.
Dr. Kambon is the master linguist and architect of Abibitumi.com. He’s become world renowned after the popularity of his Youtube videos, Black social network, and after being featured in several international publications like the BBC. etc
For travelers who really want to connect with their Afrikan roots, the class has proved very popular. It’s also be a great way for travelers to meet other travelers eager to connect with Afrikans on the continent as well as the Diaspora. Either way, it’s great way to start your trip to Ghana. Travelers can sign up for the one-on-one or group session at the Sankofa Guest House or on their website www.SankofaGuestHouse.com or click here for more information. “Twi Language and Culture Class” .
The Sankofa Guest House has made its mark on Accra Ghana and gotten international attention for providing travelers from the Black Diaspora a place to begin their reconnection and africanization process. They even have resources for those looking towards repatriating and citizenship. If you’re already planning a trip to Ghana or need a reason to plan one start with the Sankofa Guest House.