14 Aug 2024
Did you know Ghana has one of the highest emigration rates in West Africa? Among countries belonging to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), only Nigeria surpasses Ghana in the number of citizens moving to developed economies. Moving to a new country is always a blend of excitement and challenge, especially for those leaving a country as rich in culture and traditions as Ghana for the structured environment of Germany. However, Ghanaian traditions remain a heartbeat that continues to pulse strongly, maintaining cultural identity amidst a new landscape.
This article explores how Ghanaian expats in Germany keep their traditions alive, offering a vibrant glimpse into their cultural practices and the sense of community they foster all while making sure their loved ones are taken care of with frequent money transfers from Germany to Ghana.
Germany is home to a sizable Ghanaian community, primarily concentrated in cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt. These hubs become cultural melting pots where traditions are shared and celebrated, ensuring the Ghanaian way of life remains vibrant and dynamic.
Festivals are a cornerstone of Ghanaian culture, with many expats actively participating in traditional celebrations to keep their heritage alive.
One of the most significant festivals is Homowo, which means "hooting at hunger." Originally celebrated by the Ga people of Ghana, this festival marks the end of a long famine and celebrates the harvest season. In Germany, Ghanaian communities come together to cook traditional meals like Kpekple (a dish made from cornmeal and palm nut soup) and share stories and music that connect them to their roots.
Another vital celebration is the Akwasidae Festival, held every six weeks by the Ashanti. This festival honors ancestors and brings the community together to pay respect and celebrate with drumming, dancing, and elaborate ceremonies. In cities with significant Ghanaian populations, such as Berlin, these festivals are vibrant, colorful events that attract participants from all walks of life, offering a slice of Ghanaian culture to curious onlookers. Honoring ancestors and loved ones is the Ghanaian way of life. Hence, Ghanaian expats often have to send money online from Germany to Ghana to feel at home.
Food is a powerful link to one's heritage, and for Ghanaians in Germany, traditional cuisine is a comforting reminder of home. Ghanaian restaurants and community gatherings feature dishes like jollof rice, fufu, and waakye, which are delicious and serve as a means of preserving cultural practices.
Jollof rice, a beloved West African dish, is often at the center of social gatherings and celebrations. Its vibrant red color and rich flavors symbolize joy and festivity. Ghanaian expats in Germany prepare and share this dish during communal events, reinforcing bonds within the community and introducing their culinary heritage to their German neighbors.
Fufu, a starchy accompaniment typically made from cassava or yam, is another staple of Ghanaian cuisine. Paired with light tomato-based soup and fish or meat. This food represents comfort and home for many Ghanaians abroad. Preparing and eating these dishes together helps maintain a connection to their homeland and provides an opportunity to pass culinary traditions down to younger generations born in Germany.
Language and music are vital aspects of cultural identity, and Ghanaian expats in Germany make concerted efforts to keep these elements alive.
While English is widely spoken, many Ghanaians also speak local languages such as:
Community centers and churches often offer language classes and cultural education, ensuring these mother tongues and their rich cultural context are passed down to younger generations.
Music is a universal language that transcends borders, and Ghanaian genres like Highlife and Hiplife have found enthusiastic audiences in Germany. Highlife, with its jazzy, danceable beats, and Hiplife, a fusion of Highlife and hip-hop, are frequently played at Ghanaian parties and festivals. These musical styles entertain and educate others about Ghanaian culture and history.
Living in Germany allows Ghanaians to share their rich cultural heritage with their host country, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation.
By meeting fellow expats, you get to learn skills that will help you not only survive but also thrive in this new country. Ask them about how they've handled the problems you're facing, such as what the cheapest way to send money to Ghana from Germany is. Suggestions that come out of experience no tutorials can ever teach.
Ghanaian community centers in Germany serve as focal points for cultural exchange. These centers host events, language classes, and workshops that introduce German citizens to Ghanaian traditions while providing a support network for expats. Such initiatives help bridge cultural gaps and promote integration while celebrating diversity.
Cultural festivals in Germany often feature Ghanaian performances, food stalls, and art exhibitions. These events offer Ghanaians a platform to showcase their heritage and engage with the broader community, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and mutual respect.
Ghanaian traditions provide a strong foundation for expats living in Germany, offering a sense of belonging and identity in a foreign land. By celebrating festivals, preserving culinary practices, and promoting language and music, Ghanaians in Germany maintain their cultural heritage and enrich the multicultural fabric of their new home. For anyone looking to connect with their roots or explore Ghanaian culture, the vibrant Ghanaian communities in Germany offer a warm and welcoming embrace.
Services like ACE Money Transfer understand the importance of staying connected to one's roots while living abroad. By providing reliable and efficient money transfer services, ACE helps Ghanaians make online money transfers from Germany to Ghana and support their families back home, ensuring that cultural traditions thrive across borders. ACE Money Transfer is your trusted partner in maintaining these vital connections for anyone looking to connect with their roots or explore Ghanaian culture.
Ghanaians in Germany celebrate traditional festivals such as the Homowo and Akwasidae Festivals by coming together to prepare traditional meals, share stories, and engage in music and dance. These events are often held in community centers and public spaces, allowing for a vibrant celebration of Ghanaian culture.
Ghanaian expats maintain their language and cultural practices through community centers and churches that offer language classes and cultural education. These centers provide a space for learning and practicing local languages such as Twi, Ga, and Ewe, as well as for engaging in artistic activities.
ACE Money Transfer helps Ghanaian expats in Germany by providing reliable and efficient money transfer services. These services allow expats to send money to their families back home, supporting them financially and ensuring that cultural traditions continue to thrive across borders.
Staying connected to cultural roots helps Ghanaians in Germany maintain a sense of identity and belonging. Preserving traditions, languages, and values enriches their lives and the lives of their children. Additionally, it contributes to the multicultural fabric of their new home country, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation.
Ghanaian cultural events in Germany can typically be found at community centers, churches, and during city-wide cultural festivals. Major cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt often host these events, featuring Ghanaian performances, food stalls, and art exhibitions.
