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

by Anna Cottrell

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.

175 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2007

Reviews

[Amy Vana]

Once Upon a Time in Ghana by Anna Cottrell, which I read digitally on my kindle, is a collection of traditional Ewe stories retold in English. This folklore collection has ten quickly read chapters which depict drought, deception, ethics, and respect. Each chapter is a different story which gives the reader an insight into several different storytellers within the same culture. The chapters start with basic information and dialog between the storyteller and the audience. This information gives insight into what the story will be about and which principles are important. This book covers many themes and is an expression of tradition, beliefs, and a way to pass stories on to the future. This book can change someone’s perspective by allowing them to use the fresh perspective with current issues.

In reading this book, the reader would benefit from supplementary materials or information to become more familiar with the culture.

[Louise Payne]

I absolutely love reading these stories to my children just like my mother read to me and my siblings.

[Jbondandrews]

While the stories were good I would have prefered them as they would have been told by the original author Agbotadua Toggbi Kumassah