Identity is the unique combination of heritage, experiences, and values that define an individual.
Identity shapes how we see ourselves and our place in the world.
Identity is a dynamic blend of past, present, and future that guides our sense of self.
As a Ghanaian, I love to tell stories about who I am and where I am from.
Storytelling is deeply ingrained in our culture, playing a vital role in shaping my identity as an Ghanaian. Traditionally, this practice takes place during nighttime gatherings around a log fire , where elderly family members share tales with children seated around them.
Songs are woven into compelling narratives to maintain focus, followed by questions or reflections on moral lessons to foster confidence, family bonding, and critical thinking.
For the Ewe people of Ghana, storytelling sessions begin with the call "Mise mise Gli loo!!" and the response "Gli ne vaa!!"
Over the years, The Witness Tree Institute Of Ghana has created the platform for us to share our stories. So, drawing inspiration from these rich cultural experiences and the power of identity, I share my "I Am From" poem, reflecting my roots and heritage.
*I Am From Poem*
I am from the land of my fathers, Keta, which translates as "on top of the land"
Yes, Keta, "we will settle on top that land", said my ancestors .
Indeed their determination echoed from that phrase when migrating from Notsie in Togo.
I am from the framed photos of Agomayi, my great grandfather whom I “met” in an Album. As a little boy, lost in the era of the Anlo - keta war, he was rescued by a white missionary and taken to a land he knew not- England.
I am from the steps he took back to trace his roots/Sankofa.
I am from the forget-me-not flowers planted in his garden, an ancestral place so dear to me.
I am from the genetic makeup of Adzo, and Kodzo, their bond, though stretched, remained strong. I am from memories of waiting for Dad's rare calls, so I get to sing to him .
From a distance, his love felt like a silent promise ; that he's always there.
I am from the promises I made to myself.
That I will keep on running towards the goal, to take hold of the prize.
I am from ATE NU AWƐ! YOU CAN DO IT.
Olivia Fafali Williams teaches Creative Arts and English language at Unique E’s Montessori School in Amasaman, Greater Accra.