Partying in Ghana

sports cultures — By Bob Riel on June 23, 2006 at 12:09 pm

Yes, it’s sad that the U.S. was eliminated from the World Cup. Yes, a bad call at the end of the first half changed the complexion of the game and contributed to the loss. But you have to admit, the win probably meant a lot more to Ghanaians than the loss meant to most Americans.

If you want proof, check out this blog entry and accompanying photos from Joshua Berman, who is in the midst of a round-the-world trip and happened to find himself in Ghana for yesterday’s World Cup match with the U.S. (Thanks to World Hum for the link.) The Ghanaians were seriously happy, as Berman describes:

…I wish I knew how to post the short movie clips I took, so you could hear the drums, the singing, the gourd shakers, and the shouts. I parade through the streets with the PPAG kids, who drape me with yellow-red-and-green flags, hats, and ribbons, and I congratulate everyone I meet, laughing at their taunts of “Don’t cry, Obruni!”

Later, spent and sweaty, and covered with dust, I send Kojo down the block for a basket of beers and sit in front of our house, drinking Castle Milk Stouts with Effo and our neighbor, Uncle John, whose granddaughters dance around us and help us shout to all passerby, “Ghana besha debiya!” Ghana will always win!