Yup, it’s official. Dan and I are officially “yevus” (meaning “white person” in the local ewe language). In the Volta Region of Ghana, we hear that word no fewer than 50 times a day, mostly from young children utterly fascinated with white people in a region where white people are few and far between. The other day, I even heard it from a 40 year old mother sitting with her child on the ground as we walked by. To be clear, “Yevu” is not said to be derogatory but rather just as an exclamatory. It’s said like “Hey, look, a WHITE person” – not “LOOK at the white person”. We arrived in the Anloga region of Ghana about two weeks ago, and have gotten a chance to get a feel for Lumana daily operations and the community here in Anloga, Dzita, and Atorkor. I’ve met a few clients, such as Steven (above), who weaves kente, and Mercy, who runs a food stand and is also a tailor.
Dan is here another 8 days, and I’m here until the 21st when I fly back to through Washington DC on the same flight as Sloane and Taylor (who I eagerly look forward to seeing this Wednesday!).
I look forward to hearing the word “Yevu” shouted at me from every which way 50+ times a day until I leave –- mostly because it’s primarily beaming young children behind the voices.
