What cracks me up a lot of times are the rather unlucky and comic
choices of titles for the numerous stalls and enterprises along Ghanaian roads.
One is spoiled for choice doing business with Blessed Electrical Services (what can possibly go wrong?!), Blood & Fire Barber (how
reassuring), Abotere Carpentry &
Haircut (diversify!), Justice Shop
(the price will tell), and Thank You
Jesus (how very Irish).
Many Ghanaians (or perhaps Africans for that matter) like to choose epic
first names for their offspring. Along the many males named Moses, Elvis and
Prince you will be introduced to individuals called Comfort, Bright, Saviour, Prosper,
Foster, Aswell, Sabbath, Mercy, Gifty and Legzzy just to name a few. You could
nearly build a conversation or riddle around these names. J
Apart from the more creative names there’s a clear preference for the biblical
such as Obed, Dinah, David, Solomon, Ebenezer, Moses, Samuel, Benjamin, Joseph,
Isaac, Esther, Sampson even Shadrach with “Emmanuel” being the distinct overall
winner. It’s not surprising really, if you consider the amount of churches of
all kinds of Christian orientation rubbing shoulders with each other in the
tiniest of villages.
Blessed Electrical Services and Bike Emporium - The coffin maker has settled next door... |
Mercy, Gifty, Legzzy... Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho
ReplyDeleteIt's home from work we go.... ;)