20 Rullmann Schmidt. The Been - to's

A much voiced complaint from Africans and Asians is: "There
are always things being said, written and decided about us,
but they never give us the chance to have our own say.

Consequently a book full of quotations, a handbook and guide
perhaps . Also many proverbs, because "proverbs are the palm
oil with which words are eaten" (Ewe). The Ewe tribe can be
found in the Southeastern part of Ghana, in Togo, benin and
Nigeria.

The quotations are mostly from African authors, which has res-
ulted in certain aspects of acculturation being stressed more
than others.

The emphasis has fallen on Ghana because of the close relat-
ionship the author has with some of its people, brought about
not only by daily contact during their stay in Holland, but
also by staying in Ghana and extensive correspondence all over
the world.

In chapter I a picture is sketched of the changing relation-
ship between young and old; a relationship which must be kept
carefully in mind by the fieldworker, and also the role which
ancestors and God still play, even in the years of the present
generation. If we think 50 years back about country life here
in Europe, we will be surprised by the many parallels.

In chapter II paints certain problems of young people which
leave for a distant country; the expectations that live with
those people who make the trip and those that stay behind, and
also the adjustment of the traveller to his new environment
and the environment to him. Are Jan and Adjei so different to
each other? At the most in the aim of their journey, the
purpose of the assignment with which they leave. And the
family that is left behind or the society and the society and
its people that Jan and Adjei come across, are they going to
be so different to each other?

Chapter III deals briefly with the influence of christians on
non-christians. It would certainly be interesting but the
line must be drawn somewhere.

We, the people of Europe, think a great deal of ourselves and
believe that the world is our oyster; our culture is the
measuring-staff, out behaviour the norm, but in Ghana can be
seen how extensive the tablemanners are. They do eat with
their hands but at a closer look we will notice that they are
very attentive to each others needs. Time and respect is
necessary to discover that.

In this chapter some ideas of foreign students are interpre-
ted, ideas that intend to put the human being in the centre.


CONTENTS:

Preface 1
I The relationship old-young 3
1. The duties and obligations of the parents 4
2. The role of the deceased, the spirits 6
3. Who is God in Africa? 6
4. Conclusions 13
II Acculturation in general 14
1. Jan in Africa 17
2. Adjei in Europe 20
3. Jan back in Europe 23
4. Adjei back in Africa 25
5. Conclusions 29
III The influence of christians on non-christians 30
1. lifestyle 31
2. Education 33
3. New approach 34
4. Conclusions 34
References 36
Recommended literature 38
Illustrations 38