Once upon a Time in Ghana: Traditional Ewe Stories Retold in English

Once upon a Time in Ghana: Traditional Ewe Stories Retold in English by Cottrell, Anna. paperback edition. ISBN: 9781906221584.

This collection of original and traditional stories really is by the people, for the people. Imagine trekking across field after field under an intense African sun following a group of total strangers and hoping against hope that your old fashioned recording machine will work. Imagine then the joy when it all happens even though you do not understand a word of what is being said. This book gives an insight into each unique storyteller. Two and a half awe-inspiring hours spent with 84 year old Mr Nutsugah where one story flowed seamlessly into another. A day recording the fishermen in Anyako, as goats jumped up to eat bananas on the table, wide-eyed children wandered in and out, cocks crowed, men sawed and hammered just a few feet away. In Have, a wonderful and unexpected reception was given as the storytellers moved towards us, singing a welcome. Equally unexpected was the gift of bananas, coconuts and avocado pears when we finished. All the money made from this book goes to the storytellers as we identify projects which will help raise their standard of living. This book is thus an expression of so much, of long tradition, of beliefs, of faith in the past and of hope for the future.