Ghana be fun

Thanksgiving – Take Two

This week is Thanksgiving and despite the fact that I am not American I feel totally at liberty to celebrate this holiday, given that I am sure by pure dint of being British that I can find some ties to the Mayflower. I am also sure that, given my inability to provide food for myself or cook anything of significance, genetic links must surely prove that I descended from -or at least I am related to- those hapless souls escaping persecution.  I also know that I have mixed at least three different versions of the story of the first Thanksgiving to make these claims.  But, again, as there are at least three such stories I feel perfectly entitled to use whichever one and whichever version best suits my purposes.  As has been pointed out this week, Thanksgiving may come from the pilgrims who may or may not have landed at Plymouth MA 1621, but they were not the first settlers, nor were they the first to rely on the Native Americans, but for the purposes of the story, etc… and as it happens I LOVE thanksgiving! It is my favorite holiday and a great excuse to eat all my favorite food, have fun and generally start the lead up to Christmas.

This week has seen two celebrations- Thanksgiving American style on the Thursday- which is the official day to celebrate; since 1941, when it was declared that the fourth Thursday in November would be used for Thanksgiving.  I have also had a few explanations for this over the last few days but I think it is something to do Lincoln and the Civil War and the fact he declared November 26 a day for giving Thanks and not fighting… so nothing to do with the first Thanksgiving and a complete change in date- but a small fact that I am not going to let get in the way of a perfectly good holiday, and great food.

So, Thursday was a very traditional celebration.  Beautifully hosted, the food was roast turkey with all the trimmings, green beans, stuffing, cranberries, Mac and Cheese, mashed potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie, apple crisp and lemon tart… the list continues.  Everyone was sat around one table, grace was said, we took a moment before dinner to think about things we were personally thankful for, shared memories of previous Thanksgiving, and the fact that while we were away from family we were able to celebrate with friends.

Saturday was a little different.  It was a much bigger affair with a much more Ghanaian twist to things!  It started with a live turkey running around the yard, and then the ritual slaughter of the said turkey… there was blood, feathers, severed feet and a lot of noise!   There was of course also the piglet that was roasting on the spit, a hand turned spit, over heated coals, and the man who sat in a 95F heat turning the spit. 

Having said it was much bigger affair means there were a lot more people involved, and the whole day was spent with people coming and going, tables being delivered, chairs being set up, the ice and the bar man arriving for the evening, people in and out of the kitchen, ladies chopping vegetables and preparing the food for later, glass ware being delivered, china being set on the tables, ovens and fridges being utilized in all houses possible- a general hustle and bustle and industriousness of what was to come.

Then as the afternoon wore on and started to turn into the evening more people arrived, but this time as guests.  The atmosphere was very convivial.  The gas lamps around the pool and the colored lights strung along the back wall just seemed to encourage a Greek taverna feel, the floating flowers and candles in the pool had a very island holiday feel, and everyone seemed relaxed happy and ready to chat.

 I have to say I think I enjoyed the evening all the more for having been out of the way and not involved in the cooking for most of the day.  Probably for the taste buds of everyone invited it was a good thing I wasn’t involved in the cooking, but it also meant I got to enjoy an afternoon at the pre-Christmas craft bazaar at the Trade Center.  It was held outside and while there were a whole lot of people it didn’t feel over crowded.  They also had a great mix of newly crafted things and slightly older objects to be bought.

The big purchase of the day- along with the obligatory beads and knick knacks that you inevitably find in these places (and buy despite the fact you kind of know you are never going to need them) was a set of three people.  They do seem to be quite popular and date in age, having been carved and crafted from anywhere in the last 60 years until very recently and probably in the case of the police officer just for the bazaar.  They also only ever seem to come wearing the same costumes- the soldier, the police officer and the doctor.  I am sure that on some level they are deeply politically incorrect and I have a certain uneasiness about buying them, a throwback to colonialism (although I also have a feeling that it is me reading these messages into objects, which is in and of itself very Un-PC- not enough to stop me- just that I feel I really ought to be offended by them).  On the other hand I think they are totally great, and a real African souvenir, which despite my convoluted and involved circular thinking I am going to enjoy.

After all- the day started with a turkey having its head removed and ended with beautiful oil lamps floating in the pool.  A day of contrasts if ever there was one to be had.