My Recurring Dream-Should I have?
Esi Arhin • August 2, 2021
Episode 1
I keep visiting a place in my dreams over and over again through the years. This place is the prettiest orchard- garden I've ever seen.
On the very first visit, I was on my way somewhere. It seemed I knew exactly where I was going. Although deep in thought, my walk was confident and purposeful. You know how you can get to a place you know and actually not observe the road or your surroundings because you've walked the route so many times? Well, it was one of those. I suddenly came to a stop. Why? The sound of the place. The sound was unlike anything I've heard before, distinct with quiet chirping of birds in the background.
I could hear what sounded like the croak of frogs, faint but audible. Then I felt the coolest breeze. This breeze is unlike any I’ve ever felt. It was chilly but not the kind of chill that gives you goose bumps. Although I wasn't hot, I felt cooled. In recollection, I look around me, I see the stems of trees in a row, many of them. I look up, the colours of the leaves are in many different shades. The shades are unlike any I've ever seen. I could however recognize and name some of them. There were shades of green, yellow, brown, orange, purple, yes, purple leaves! The sight was breathtaking.
A unique feeling washed over me. I will describe it as peace of mind. Peace of mind unlike I've ever known, I would call it divine. This place is sacred, I thought. I felt it too.
I looked around where I was standing, unsure of venturing further. I was mesmerized and anxious at the same time. Mesmerized by the atmosphere of the place but anxious because I was trespassing. I turned to leave, not knowing if that was even the exit as I did not recall how I got there. Then I heard what sounded like footsteps. I called out as loudly as I could, ‘Hello, hello, somebody there?’ There was no response, but I could hear the footsteps coming towards me. I began approaching the direction of the sound of the footsteps. Although I felt I was trespassing and should be careful, I also felt very comfortable. Almost as if I owned the place. But of course not.
As I walked further towards the footsteps, strangely, the more it faded away. I heard a screeching sound behind me, I turned and there it was, the prettiest little white rabbit! I've never seen a live rabbit before. I've eaten them, but never seen a live one. The pretty starry-eyed creature stared at me, rather fiercely but in a friendly way. I stared right back. You little trickster, rattling around making me think it was a human. As if it had heard my thoughts, it scuttled off on a path I had not noticed earlier. By now, I had pretty much abandoned my journey to wherever I was going and was taking a tour of the place.
I followed the tiny rabbit on the path, a few steps forward, it disappeared into a hole. Its home? I walked on, dismissing the little creature. I see trees to my left and right in perfectly lined rows, just as I saw earlier on the other side. It reminded me of the palm and banana plantations I saw in Israel on the way to Tiberius. There were rows and rows of palm and banana trees so perfectly lined you would believe the planters put a tape to it.
Suddenly I smelled a whiff of something fruity, mangoes! Goodness! There, surrounding me were mango trees of many varieties, shapes and colours. They were big, small, round, oval, green, orange, yellow and red. Red, similar to the colour of red apples, hanging on the trees, some overripe and fallen to the ground. You know how good the aroma of ripe mango is. Well, imagine that one hundred times over. I notice many of those on the ground were rotten, rotten but did not smell at all. I know because I picked one, expecting to see ants on it but there were none. Interesting, I thought. My very first smell of the place, to this day is etched in my memory, deeply.
I suddenly found myself in another spot. This time, it was in the midst of pear trees, the largest size of pears I've ever seen. Wow, I could tell they were the very buttery kind by the look of their skin. Yes, just like those on my grandpa's farm in 'Kromamme', somewhere in Gomoa West. I wanted to pluck one for taste but hesitated. I told myself to wait and ask first. So, I left it.
Within the space of what seemed like hours un-end, I kept being transported from one location to another, I found myself landing at different spots as if it was someone's intention to show me around but there was no one there but me. At least it felt that way. All through my sightseeing, the quiet but distinct humming of the birds remained in a constant rhythm. It was musical and soothing. It calmed my spirit. I saw so many fruits there, many of which I did not know or recognize. Yes, uncountable numbers of fruit variety. I remember seeing peaches and wondering, peaches? In the tropics? Another thing I vividly remember is the bright sunshine, so bright the orange rays almost turned pale but not quite. As I said, it was not hot. Ever felt or seen the rays of winter sun? It was kind of like that. It's the only description closest to reality I can find.
By this time, I had a strong desire to gather some of the fruits and take with me. But which? The ones I've never seen or tasted or the familiar but different ones? How many? What would I carry them in? Then it struck me, I can't come to someone's place and take what doesn't belong to me without permission. It's wrong. Frustrated, I called out "obi wɔ ha?" Is anyone here? Not that I expected a response. Well, none came. But would the owner really mind if I take some of the fruits with me? So many ripe ones up the trees and ready to fall. Many fallen to the ground, quite a number of them were rotten.
So,
what would it matter if I took a few away?
In the middle of the debate with myself I woke, “Allahu Akbar!” said the mosque two streets away.
To be Cont'd
Esi's Blog
Ama Ata Aidoo's The Days , a picture book for children is a delight to read. Illustrated by Albert Buete Puplumpu, the book offers relatable descriptions of days of the week and their unique characters in a fun way. The theme of differences and similarities resonates clearly. The author employs the use of rhythm, rhyme, repetition and imagery to deploy the story. In comparison to how days behave, it plays on the characteristics of animals and things to enforce its message while encouraging children in an unsuspecting way to apply their mathematical skills. The simplicity of style and subject makes it an easy read for young children. At the same time, it holds a certain appeal for adults because of the subliminal meaning portrayed for those who understand the battles fought in daily existence. This book explores the possibilities in each day, painting a picture of life and its unpredictability in general. It assures the young that differences are normal and in fact to be expected. For adult readers it reinforces our knowledge and understanding of daily life challenges, leaving a sense of balance. The performance potential it holds is most exciting. Each day's character stares the imagination and evokes an actor in the reader. The colourful illustrations depict familiar images in ethereal bliss, typically that of the old village wall. The front cover captures the theme beautifully. It shows the different characters of days by seamlessly fusing together colours symbolizing the differences in days. The illustrations are very effective in enhancing the story. Although "Each day has hours of ten, ten and four..." "All the days are not equal" indeed. Children are sure to be entertained and learn about diversity. I'm enamored! The Days is far more than a good read. Children, gather round!
Navrongo, the capital town of the Kassena-Nankani district lies south of Paga, the main border crossing between Ghana and Burkina Faso. It sits at the tropical Savannah belt, Upper East of Ghana. I first made my way there sometime in September 2002 through a friend who couldn’t believe I had lived all 27 years of my life in southern Ghana, never having traveled up north. He insisted I needed the exposure and so he dragged me with him. He said I had not lived If I had not seen the sun rise on the Tono dam. So, one fine morning at 5:00 am, I jumped into his pick-up truck, and we headed up north where he had made a home away from fanteland. It was the longest road trip I had ever embarked on at the time, 15 hours on the road to be precise. Takeaway the breaks we took at Kumasi, Kintapo and Tamale. I barely noticed the hours pass as we chatted all the way with the company of Fela Kuti and Bob Marley playing in the background on repeat. To this day, the ride to Navrongo remains one of the fondest memories I have of traveling Ghana for work or leisure. This part of the country is home to two ethnic groups, the Kassims and the Nakanas. Historically, it is said that these two ethnic groups have had relative independence because the Ashantis didn't invade them. However certain treaties established by the British in 1898 an Anglo-French convention came up with an agreement to divide the lands. The Kassims and Nankanas were subsequently separated from their relatives who today live across the border, Burkina Faso. Older indigens of Navrongo know it as Navoro, which means (to put your foot down on soft ground). Today, the town is indeed soft ground to live and explore what new opportunities it has to offer, including access to tertiary education locally. The siting of Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences campus to the township has brought much warmth to the once laid back and very quiet town. Yet, it still remains relatively calm in comparison to Bolgatanga which is 30 kilometers away by road, about 40 minutes’ drive. It is an important market town in the area. The people are mainly subsistence farmers and rearers of cattle and goat. Navrongo is known for its famous mud-built cathedral and grotto, Our Lady of Seven Sorrows. Although it doesn't haven many formally designated places of tourist attraction, it is by its character a great attraction. The warmth of the people, the native architecture, fabrics, the market, the guinea fowl joints, the easy connection between humans and cattle in full glare, make up a total unique culture for experiencing. Marked places of interests in addition to the mud-built cathedral are the Tono dam, which is one of the largest agricultural dams in West Africa, also the first ever solar plantation and the health research centre. It is awesome to watch the sun rise ever so gracefully on the Tono dam.The rising of the sun is said to symbolise the journey of the sun in the sky. At about 5:00 am one morning my host and I set off on a drive to see the famous sunrise on Tono dam. The joy of watching the sunrise on the dam is next to none, with nature at its best early morning. The sun’s golden rays added a burnt orange colour to the smoky clouds. A small ball of light emerged from the sky at first. It then slowly starts to get bigger and illuminate. As if on cue birds began to chirp in glorification of the glow of the orange goddess. Its beauty is beyond description, I cannot do it justice. Suddenly, out of the blue it bursts out into a gleaming ball expanding at a moment's look. The first rays are gentle and soft on the eyes. It is a rare joy, eternally etched in memory. I have seen many a sunrise over the years but this one was magnificent, just as my host promised. It was worth every bit of the journey. One thing I found most fascinating is the hand production of ethnic fabrics by the women of Navorongo. They grow and eat their own food. They make their own beer(pito), their own beauty products from largely local materials. They build their homes with their bare hands also with local materials. They made ordinary what appeared phenomenal to me. There are some fairly decent guest houses and lodges to stay in, especially for low budget travelers. Moving around is not difficult, there are taxies and motor cars available for hire as well as collective rides. For a fun night, there are lots of drinking spots and bars to hang out and dig into some well spiced charcoal grilled guinea fowl or beef kebabs. You may sample grilled guinea fowl in as many grilling spots as you like. That is a sport in itself. I've had several opportunities to return to Navrongo after my first visit. With each visit the land and it’s people grow on me. Memories of Navrongo call. Nearly two decades after my first trip there, my heart still misses a beat at the mention of her name. Could it also be that the face of that handsome Kassim man still smiles on me?