A taboo is an act so deeply forbidden that it provokes moral outrage, fear, or spiritual anxiety when violated. Taboos are cultural universals: every society draws invisible lines that must not be crossed. Yet these lines are not the same everywhere. What one society condemns as unthinkable may be ordinary or morally neutral in another….
When entering a typical town or village in Ghana, a traveler is often welcomed by a metal signpost bearing the name of the place. These names are familiar to residents, yet many people rarely pause to ask an important question: How did this town get its name? In Ghana, as in many parts of the…
Animism is the belief that the environment and society are populated with spirits. Many Ghanaians hold animistic beliefs, maintaining that their surroundings are inhabited by spiritual beings. Some of these spirits are believed to be benevolent, while others are considered malevolent. Animistic beliefs are widespread across Ghana’s ethnic groups. Even Ghanaians who identify as Christian…
