The “Bradt Guide to Ghana” is a travel guide meant to give beginner travelers an insight of the exotic and yet somewhat familiar Ghana. It was originally published in 1998, by the “Africa expert” Philip Briggs, a London native that grew up in South Africa, and has travelled through most of the continent. The book gives the reader an image of an alluring Africa that is exotic but still familiar. Africa, more precisely Ghana in this case, is portrayed as an object that like an infant’s toy is at the same time entertaining and enthusing for the child, and safe enough for the parents to not worry.
Despite the fact that the book was published by the Bradt Travel Guides, which is a publisher of travel guides focused on culture and natural life of the places described, the introduction of this guide does nothing but call the attention of the reader for the wild and extreme. Briggs describes Ghana as the “Africa for beginners” that is still unspoiled. According to him, Ghana is the only country in West Africa that offers affordable and safe travel options. It is the perfect match for those looking for the “authentic” Africa, but not willing to get too close to it. It has all in one: the beautiful beaches, the jungles, the plantations, the wildlife, and the rivers, but at the same time has all amenities that Americans and Europeans find essential. The descriptions of Ghana are resumed to nature. Except for a brief paragraph about the slave castles along the coast, the author makes no reference to the cultural aspects of the country. It is interesting that in one of the paragraphs he mentions climbing the great mosques in the north, but does not mention how or why those were made.
These accounts on Ghana were written to feed the needs of an audience that is looking for the extraordinary. The image of Ghana, and I dare to say of Africa in general, is simplified to what people want from there. They want to see the nature and animals, but ignore the animals that are the same as them: human beings.
In class we are always talking about the way that Europeans take Africa and commercialize it in order to sell it to those who they feel have the same track of thinking as them. This picture and the way you have broken the image down is a perfect example of this. There may be images where a European journalist or photographer will most likely dim the pictures taken of parts in Africa in order to show the savage or downfalls of the continent. However in this image it is easy to see and understand that much abstract and color was added in order to sell the event that is taking place in Ghana. As you stated, "these accounts of Ghana were written for the needs of an audience that is looking for the extraordinary." What about the Africa that is not seen and published by the Europeans? This is what most people may not get but when the other side of Africa is revealed it is often misinterpeted.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your analysis about the brochure's call for travelers to "explore" Ghana, without really getting to experience the real place. Though the brochure notes that Ghana is "steeped in history and tradition", it does not encourage the traveler to delve any further into these subjects. Rather, it encourages the traveler to see animals and landmarks instead of conversing with the people and getting to know the culture.
ReplyDeleteI think you made a good point about the forts that are mentioned in the brochure. Though the brochure insists they are a sight to be seen, not much history is offered regarding them.
The author reduces the whole country to a few entertaining locations which makes Ghana seem like an African playground or amusement park, rather than a country full of culture, people and history.
So this was a really great post, full of good information. I think it's sad that even in 1998, people choose to exploit Africa and make it into a commercial place. I bet that this brochure just scratches the surface as to how awesome Ghana must be and it's also wrong on travelers parts to look for places familiar to their home lives and not be able to risk a new adventure.
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