Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Azonto!

Sometime ago I wrote about dance etiquette (or my perceptions of it) in Ghana and my inability to understand it.

http://yevuinghana.blogspot.com/2010/12/dance-etiquette.html

Now, the dance life here has become even harder. The Azonto dance has become popular on the dance floors and streets across Ghana. Whether in a club, by the street side or at a wedding (or a funeral) men and women are randomly and sporadically breaking into the Azonto dance. Shouts of 'come on Sam, dance Azonto' are worryingly frequent and always ignored. I have a problem with the two step let alone this straight legged, hand spinning dance that at times is reminiscent of a bit of John Travolta in Greece!

If you do not know about the Azonto craze which has hit Ghana and beyond here is a little video to teach you the moves. You will be pleased to know that I am not going to give you personal lessons!

http://www.twitvid.com/SH5DQ

Enjoy, and happy dancing! (Maybe I should learn this dance!?)

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

People only clubs - Racism in Accra!

A lot of you would not have seen the recent news regarding racism in Ghana. To cut a long story short a restaurant (a stones throw from my house) had a no black policy when it came to a member club. (Italian owned) A policy that seems to scarily hark back to another age when it was seen as legitimate to discriminate against those with another skin colour.

Here is the link if you would like to read further http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15552093.

This has got massive coverage here and across the world. Ghanaians of course came out very strongly against this and a lot of anti foreign rhetoric was banded about. As soon as I heard the story I thought bugger this could potentially have a big affect on the majority of ex-pats living here who would not even consider such a policy, and the backlash could make things a little uncomfortable. Certainly many of us as critical of certain things we come across in Ghana but to think about race in such a manner would not even cross out minds. My good friend Aunty Melanie mentioned to me yesterday that the only time she notices she hangs out with black friends is when she sees her white face in a photograph. I totally agree with this. To take it to another extreme, when I first moved in to this house (which is full of white people) I could not even remember how to socialise with them! (Incidentally, Melanie cooked me some incredible Roulade yesterday! The first home cooking I have had in a very long time, and damn good food! Thanks Melanie!)

Anyway, this is not going to be a controversial blog to try and push the buttons and cause a huge heated debate. I think the subject of race is one I should probably not say too much about. I was even asked to come on Metro Tv to discuss it and I quietly ignored the invite!

Last night one thing happened which is not as uncommon as it should be. I was out checking out a bash to celebrate Eid in New Town. As I strolled through the crowd of people I heard someone shout, "Go back to your country!" Of course I looked around and wanted to call the guy to come down and explain his sentiments. (politely....) Whilst searching around I was dragged off by one of the guys that were accompanying me. (probably for my own safety, as I'd had a couple of glasses of wine by this stage!) I am not going to analyse this right now because I will probably get carried away.  What I will say is that this is not the first time I have heard this and other similar comments shouted at me as I stroll around Accra. 

I should make it clear that I am in no way in support of the 'white club' and was appalled to hear about it I just want to point out that it is a very small minority of ex pats that think that way here in Ghana and that there are also some anti foreign sentiments amongst some groups also. 

See...very uncontroversial! 

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Miss Malaika 2011 goes to...serious!?

It has been a while since I have blogged, and a really long while since I have written about a night out or a dramatic event. There have been a few, including being threatened with a bottling by a street boy criminal called Marvin, whilst trying to protect my volunteers, but those kind of events are old news and boring.

Last night I was fortunate enough to be given a complimentary ticket to Miss Malaika 2011 at the International Conference centre, by a former participant in this blog. I think I called her mysterious beach girl, but she is no longer mysterious, and I have not been to the beach with her for a very very long time!

After finishing eating (alone) in the increasingly boring situation I am finding myself in, there was no way I would turn down the ticket. I got to the Conference Centre and sat down in my seat ready to enjoy my first experience at a 'beauty' contest. Of course I have seen a few on the TV before but never been there in the Audience. The show went rather well, with the hosts, Chris Attoh (the actor) and one of the ladies from Adams Apple (forgotten the name) did very well and dealt with the minor glitches very well. I must admit it is one of the best hosting jobs I have seen in Ghana.

In the talents round one girl did some art work on stage which looked a complete mess until she unveiled it as an African Woman's head. Really different talent, as opposed to the normal dancing and drama pieces.,I certainly have to applaud her courage! After this we got closer and closer to the finale after watching a host of performers, some good, some terrible, grace the stage.  The last round saw the 5 remaining girls answer the question who is more important the house wife or the career woman. All the girls tried to give an answer and most gave decent reasons. Then the last girl, probably the favourite and the most attractive of the bunch stepped up to give her answer....

She choked and the crowed let her know. Lots of "OHHH Geri!!" chants came from around the auditorium and she must have known that this was the end of the road for her.

We then came to the unveiling of the Miss Malaika Queen for 2011. It was all going smoothly and the 2nd place runner up was announced.  Then it was time for the first place runner up, and the first hitch came. Apparently it was a tie! and the tie was between Alex and Geri (the bad speaker!) Of course the alarm bells started ringing! Had they planned for Geri to win? Were they giving her a second chance to prove herself? Maybe!

It was decided that the two of them would be asked another question to see who would finally take the crown. They were both asked what three qualities to be a woman of the millennium?  (Which millennium?)  Alex stepped up first and got a huge round of applause and cheers when she completely smashed the answer for a home run. (I recently watched a baseball movie! (Rounders is better!)) So now it was Geri's turn, could she do better? There was an awkward silence as she again forgot to take the mic from Chris Attoh as she gave her answer. He answer was phenomenal due to the fact that it was terrible. In fact two of the reasons she gave were the same and the other reason was not even a reason. She concluded by saying she had nothing to add, it was a for gone conclusion! Alex would surely lift the crown and settle it on her head!

WRONG!

Geri of course in this story took the crown. It was a tie between the two before the last question but some how her incredibly bad last answer had propelled her ahead in the judges votes. (I was actually how, when there is an odd number of judged how there could have been a tie in the first place?) When she was announced the winner the whole place was in shock and two thirds of the audience just got up and voted with their feet. Everyone left, and no one stayed to see the fake queen be crowned!

I certainly wish Fake Queen Geri the best in her reign as Miss Malaika! And to Alex, It seems your sharp mind and intelligence and ability to talk under pressure could push you further up the ladder than a beauty Queen!



As the show went on we reached the finale, with the girls all answering a question on who was