About The Obroni Files

[you are welcome!]

My name is Jeff Bart, and I'm a Peace Corps Health Volunteer in Tamaligu, Ghana. This blog contains stories of the happenings in the village and elsewhere, and posts written more in a journal-style offer a glimpse into my somehow eccentric mind (but I don't think I'm that bad). The purpose of this site is to keep in touch with friends and family, to speak my mind, or really for anyone who's interested in reading about northern Ghana. It keeps something of a record of this somewhat different way of life known as Peace Corps Ghana. Please enjoy.

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[what's an obroni?] 

Obroni (noun): Used predominantly in southern Ghanaian Akan languages (Twi, Fante), used to describe or call out a foreigner or white person.

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-ex: Walking down the street in a southern community that speaks Twi, a child yells, “Obroni! Obroni! What is your name?” Or, while traveling, the taxi driver says, "(hissssss) Obroni! Where you going? Taxi?! Taxi?!"

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Note: This blog was named while I was in training, which took place in southern Ghana. The northern, or Dagbanli equivalent to obroni is siliminga. Or, if you're feeling particularly obnoxious, siliminga buy toffee.