Oral history interview with Kwaku Ofori-Ansa 

Kwaku Ofori-Ansa spoke in detail about the Ghanaian community and Akan groups in Washington, DC; and maintaining and continuing of traditional political systems, celebrations, clothing, food, language, music, dance, and storytelling, including folktales.  He detailed the history of Kente cloth, and the evolution of interest in African culture in the United States, including the opening of restaurants which served African and Ghanaian cuisine, establishment of educational and cultural institutions, the teaching of African culture and history at universities, African musical groups visiting from African countries, demonstrations for the elimination of apartheid, and clothing, food, and jewelry brought from Africa.  Ofori-Ansa discussed family unity and values in Ghanaian culture, the importance of identifying as Ghanaian and learning Ghanaian culture, Ghanaian parents raising their children, the special naming ceremony following the birth of Ghanaian children, the ingenious of elders, and visiting home in Ghana yearly.  He explained African belief system; specifically, how the spiritual world and physical world complement each other, and how ancestors, who are living in the spiritual world, participate in the physical world.  He also explained how information and news travels throughout the Ghanaian community; the communal spirit of Ghanaian music and dance; and his thoughts on race, racism, youth violence, and increasing the world view of young people.  Ofori-Ansa stated the town he was born and raised in in Ghana, and his ethnic group at the beginning of the interview.  He also spoke about Howard University, his video and book on Kente cloth, his work with the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of African Art, and teaching African crafts, games, and songs to kids, including at public schools in southeast Washington, DC.  Interview is in English.  Digital audio files include white noise and static.  Interviewee can be heard clearly for the most part.