Maame Abena when can I be like you?

I haven't written for a while..I apologise.

Happy new year, Happy Christmas! I missed all of that.

Anyways I wanted to show you a short story I wrote last year. I entered a competition called The Golden Baobab prize: http://www.goldenbaobab.org/ Sadly I didn't win but I still love the story and pictures! I wrote the story and my sister Suzie illustrated it (She's amazing) I hope you guys like it...







Maame Abena, When can I be like you?
Characters
Yaa Owusuwaa

9 year old protagonist

Maame Abena
Glamorous Auntie

Efia Badu
Mother

Uncle Yaw
Uncle

Cousins
Kuukuwaa, Kwaku, Abena, Mercy, Kwasi

"Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" screamed Efia Badu , Yaa Owusuwaa’s mother. It was a typically hot day in Accra and Yaa was outside happily playing with Hope, the family dog. "Ei Hope" said Yaa Owusuwaa to the dog. "Mummy can scream ohhhh. I wonder what has happened?" "Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Screamed her mother again. Yaa jumped as did Hope! "Yes Ma i’m coming!" Yaa Owusuwaa ran into the house, fearful of what her mum would say to her. As she got to the door she heard her mother talking to someone else. "Heh! This child oh she go kill me. She is an akwadaa bɔne always outside, playing with the kraman instead of reading her books . What will I do with her?" "Ei Sister, mepaakyew " said the voice – "Relax, Yaa is only 9 years old. Don’t expect to see a young politician or whatever in her yet."

Hmmmm...Yaa thought to herself. I wonder who mama is talking to. Anyway what’s wrong with playing with Hope! He’s one of my best friends. I will not her mind her! Yaa knocked politely on the door of where her mum was talking. "Yaa is that you?" Efia said sucking her teeth. "Come here, how many times do I have to call you?"



Yaa Owusuwaa plays with Hope the family Dog.

"Ma, good afternoon" Yaa politely curtseyed. She turned around to greet her mother’s guest and realised it was her favourite auntie! "Maame Abenaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Yaa exclaimed "I didn’t know it was you! Hiiii!" Yaa went to give her Auntie a big hug. Yaa loved her Auntie and since she could remember always aspired to be like her. She was beautiful

and always wore such lovely clothes. She reminded her of a pop star. She told her everything and Maame Abena always treated Yaa with equality. She would take her shopping, out for fizzy fanta and yummy fan yogo. She loved going to her flat. It was in Legon, quite close to the University of Ghana. Yaa loved hearing her Auntie’s stories especially about her university days, work life and stories from her youth. "Yaa" said Maame Abena " na wo ho te sen?" Are you being a good girl charlie? Mummy says you aren’t, ℇyℇ nokware anaa? "Ma, mepaakyew daabi" replied Yaa innocently. "Mummy just likes to shout a lot!" Mum and Auntie burst out laughing.

"Heh!" Yaa’s mother exclaimed giving her a small tap on her shoulder "You need to learn how to respect you elders. See your mouth running like okro! Yaa was confused! She was telling the truth about her mum! She did like to shout a lot! "Efia I beg oh" said Maame Abena "Leave your daughter alone, it’s not her fault she is smart and very observant for her age" Maame Abena said, winking as she gave Yaa a small pinch on her cheek "Hmmmmmm" Efia answered. "The two of you like to gang up against me. Enyℇ hwee – it doesn’t matter, I called you for a reason Yaa. Your Auntie is here because she wants to take you on a trip"! "A trip!!" Yaa screamed! "yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay" Yaa began to jump and dance around. Yaa Owusuwaa was an adventurous child and full of questions. She loved going to places and seeing new things. Her favourite trips were with school or with her family. Anywhere with her auntie was usually an amazing experience. "Yaa, ei calm down, I’m taking you to see where your mother and myself grew up! It’s about time you see where you could have grown up Yaa. You are a very lucky girl". Yaa didn’t really understand what her auntie meant. She knew she was a lucky girl, her mother had always taught her to be grateful to God but she believed girls like Mercedes Danquah in school were much much luckier. Mercedes’ Dad was an ambassador and she always had everything she wanted. Now that’s what she called luck. "Yaa, go and get dressed. Make sure you wear something old as where we are going may be quite muddy and dusty" Maame Abena said chuckling to herself "muddy and dusty"! exclaimed Yaa."Adℇn"?

"You this girl, stop asking questions and get ready" Yaa’s mother said. Yaa hurried up the stairs to the bedroom, Hope at this point had made his way into the house. He decided to follow her. "Hope!" mee kƆ abƆnten nti mee hyℇ mataadeℇ. Hope! I'm going out so I'm looking for my clothes! Hope looked at Yaa with questioning eyes. Heh adℇn na woo hwℇ me saa - Hope why are you looking at me like that? Yaa was excited. Where on earth was her auntie taking her? It was muddy and dusty... Hmm maybe to the farm? Or to a zoo, or a special adventure place for kids? Yaa quickly picked out some jeans "YAA OWUSUWAA are you ready"? Maame Abena shouted. "Yesssssss auntieeeee" Yaa replied. Yaa Owusuwaa quickly ran down the stairs. "Yaa", said her mother Efia "today I want you to be good, be respectful and always remember your beginnings ok". "Ok" Yaa replied with a slightly worried look on her face. 


Maame Abena comes to visit

Come on my ƆdƆ, said Mame Abena, let's go. Yaa Owusuwaa jumped into the car eager for her journey to start. "Ok Madame so today I'm taking you to where your Mother and I are originally from - Nkawkaw. It’s not far from here but it’s very different from Legon. I think you will like it" Maame Abena explained. "Ok wow" Replied Yaa As the car sped along the bumpy road Yaa looked outside the window. Things were very different to the sturdy and bustling streets of Legon. For one the road was much bumpier, it was quieter and more...village like. "Maame Abena" said Yaa in a surprised voice. "You and mummy used to live here"? The car stopped and parked outside what looked to be an unfinished house. "Yes my dear... we used to live here... " 


Maame Abena and Efia Badu vist their family

Maame Abena was no stranger to living in hard times. She had worked hard to get where she was but was always a person who remembered her origins. Maame Abena went to the University of Ghana, Legon to study fashion and marketing. A few months after graduation she got a job working as a fashion merchandiser for Woodin store in Accra. Her job meant she got to look at a lot of beautiful things, whilst looking beautiful herself. She got to travel to lots of different countries around the Africa and even to different parts of the world too. She always told Yaa about what she was up to at work and Yaa was constantly fascinated by the life style she led. She wanted to be around beautiful clothes and she even loved the way clothes came together. She could sit for hours watching her mum piece together beautiful cloths to make a stylish kaba and slit, she loved the whirring sound of the sewing machine too. It was a magical machine to her. Maame Abena had always told her that she had gotten where she was because of hard work. Her beginnings were humble and Yaa was about to see. Maame Abena and Yaa stepped out of the car. They were greeted by a middle-aged man and a few children. "Sister!" the man said "Akwaaba – Welcome" Brother Yaw! Exclaimed Maame Abena. How are you? Maame Abena...Yℇ da Ewurade ase – By God’s grace we are fine Akolono, Maakye oo!...Maame Abena said greeting her nieces and nephews. 

A few other children had started to gather round the house. Yaa didn't understand why they were staring at them so much! "Eii Yaa is that you" her uncle's voice said disturbing her from her thoughts. You have grown paaaaa, so much I haven’t seen you since you were a small small girl. "Yaa Owusuwaa", said Maame Abena. "Do you recognise this man? He is your uncle". Yaa looked at the man. He looked a little like her mum but quite old and not very well. "Hello WƆfa", Yaa said said bowing her head to him. "And these are your cousins! Abena, Kwaku, Kwasi, Kuukuwaa, and Mercy". Yaa looked at them. They seemed to be around her age but they didn’t look like her. Their clothes weren’t very nice and they were wearing old charlie wƆtes – flip flops. They went into the house and sat down. The tradition in Ghana when you visit someone's house is to explain the reason why you are here. It's called busa kwanso. "Brother I have come here today to come and see how you and the family are doing. Efia Busa, Yaa’s mother also sends her greetings. We know it has been a long time since Yaa Owusuwaa has been here. It's time she came back home". Uncle nodded and smiled. He went to Maame Abena and shook her hand and then went to greet Yaa Owusuwaa. Each of the children followed copying their father. "Maame Abena" said Uncle Yaw. "Thank you for this visit. Life here in our village is very tough. We struggle here a lot and my health worsens every day. If it wasn't for you and Efia Badu I don't know what we will do. Ye da mo ase paa: we thank you so much". Let's all take a walk. The village definitely is different from Legon thought Yaa. Why does it seem so...hopeless? They walked around the block whilst Maame Abena spoke with Uncle Yaw "Yaa I want you to know that you are a very special girl and you are lucky. Always work hard and remember that here is your home". Uncle Yaw advised her. "Ok YℇnkƆ" Maame Abena said. "It’s getting late and I think your mother will start to wonder where you are!" "Yaa", Wofa Yaw said, "it was so nice to see you again. Make sure you come and visit us again soon wate - do you understand?" "Yes Wofa" Yaa replied and giving him a hug. Her cousins all shyly said their goodbyes. "I don’t understand thought Yaa they are my cousins but they seem somewhat shy of me? "Yaa go and wait in the car we will leave soon" Maame Abena said

Yaa slowly walked to the car. She turned round and saw that Maame Abena had given some money to her cousins and finally to her uncle. She watched Wofa Yaw gratefully bow down his head. Maame Abena began to make her way back to the car. She opened the car door and with a big sigh sat down. "Maame Abena" Yaa Owusuwaa asks "why do they live here"? Can they come and live with us? I think they would like Legon much more! Especially the children? They can play with me!" "Yaa", Maame Abena said quietly, "this is our family village, someone has to stay here. We don't have enough money to move all of our family to Legon. It just won't work. Life isn’t easy Yaa...I hope you today you have seen that". As they make their way home, Yaa decided to keep quiet and think about her day. Hmmmm....Yaa thinks to herself. No wonder Mummy is always telling me to be grateful... They finally arrived home, Maame Abena dropped Yaa to the door. She beeped her horn as a sign to greet Yaa’s mother and drove away. It had been a long day and Yaa was quite happy to see that mummy had made her favourite food for dinner. KƆkƆƆ and beans. "So Yaa, how did you did you find your visit to the village"? Efia Badu asked. "Mummy" Yaa sighed... it was nice to see uncle and our cousins but I feel sad. I don’t want them to live there. I asked Maame Abena why not and she told me that it’s not possible. I just feel down..." A few days passed and poor Yaa was still feeling down. It was getting very close to her birthday and she was usually so excited about it! This year was different however, all she could think about was her family in Nkawkaw. She missed them and wanted to know if they were ok. Efia Badu became worried about her daughter. She knew the village visit had really affected her but she did not want Yaa Owusuwaa to be unhappy. It was her birthday soon and she wanted to make sure Yaa was happy. After all despite her chattiness she was a very good girl. 

"Hmmmm, What do I do" Efia Badu said to herself. I need to cheer Yaa up! I have an idea. Let me call Maame Abena. She will know what to do. 

Yaa is comforted by her mum after seeing her family

TELEPHONE CONVERSATION RING RING RING RING "Hello", Maame Abena said "Hello sister, it’s me Efia" "Ei, wo ho te sen – how are you? "I’m well my sister but I need your help" Saaa, Adℇn? Really why? Yaa is upset, I want her to be happy for her birthday tomorrow. After all she is going to be ten years old, so this birthday is a special one! Hmmmmm Sister Efia leave this to me I have a perfect idea! The following day was Yaa Owusuwaa’s birthday. She made her way down the stairs and was greeted by her mother "Happy birthday my sweetheart you are finally ten". Efia Badu said "We have a big surprise for you today, I know you haven’t been yourself lately". We will be going to eat at your favourite restaurant today. Obaa Tasty House "Yummy yummy Will Maame Abena be there?" Yaa asked hopefully

"I’m not sure, let’s wait and see" Efia Badu replied. The time arrived to go to the restaurant. Yaa was hungry and eagerly awaiting her birthday meal. Efia Badu parked the car at the Accra Mall. She knew Yaa would have some questions. "Mum?? This isn’t where the restaurant is? What are we doing here? I’m confused" Yaa asked "Eiiiii Yaa you and your questions we are not going to the restaurant you wait and see! This is the start of your special day and I hope you enjoy it! " Yaa stepped out of the car and walked uncertainly to the entrance of the Mall. "Where was Maame Abena" she wondered... As they entered the mall, Yaa could see a tall beautiful woman in a dazzling kaba and slit walking towards her. Before she knew it she realised it’s her Auntie – Maame Abena Maame Abena!!!! "Yaa shouted. As she ran to her auntie her face lit up with delight. "My ƆdƆ, My love, My darling, you thought I was going to miss your birthday didn’t you. I have a big surprise for you but first I want you to change into this...It’s a mini version of the kaba and slit I am wearing. We are going to be doing a mini fashion show for you and............ Your friends and cousins! All sponsored by Woodin Textiles! SURPRISE!!" Yaa turned around and there she saw her cousins from the village and some of her friends. She hugged each and every one of them. "Are you ready let’s go" said Maame Abena In the main area of the mall a catwalk had been arranged. The hall was decorated with brightly coloured flowers, kente cloth and adinkra symbols. The crowd were all seated excited to see the oncoming children’s fashion show. The latest afro beats and hip life was playing loudly in the background and the atmosphere was electric. As the show was about to start, the voices and music began to die down...


Yaa shines at the Fashion Show!

"Ladies and Gentleman" Boomed Maame Abena "Welcome to our mini fashion show supported by Woodin Textiles. I’d like to say a special shout out to my beautiful niece who turns ten today. Let the show commence!!" Behind the curtains, Yaa and all the other children were changing into their outfits for the show. It was an array of light, colours and excited children. Yaa was bubbling with excited. Maame Abena she thought to herself so today I can finally be like you! Yaa was the first to walk on the catwalk. She walked confidently onto the catwalk and began to dance to her favourite song by Sarkodie as she showed off her kaba and slit. Her cousins and friends each followed, some dancing adowa and some dancing to their own rhythms. Each of the kids had talent and it was clear from the cheering that the crowd were thoroughly enjoying themselves. As the show drew to a natural end Yaa stopped and pondered to herself "Wow this has to be one of the best days of my life. I’m surrounded by my family and my friends what more could I ask for in a birthday!" After the show all the guests were summoned to Mall’s garden to relax and socialise. Uncle Yaw was there ready and waiting to tell the children a special story. He handed out kele wele and ground nuts to each of the guests and encouraged them to take a seat on the grass. Yaa, Efia Badu, Maame Abena, Kuukuwaa, Kwaku, Mercy and Kwasi all sit together eagerly waiting Uncle Yaw’s story.



Uncle tells them a story with a moral!

"Ok everyone gather round" Uncle Yaw exclaims. "I want to tell you all a story..." It was a beautiful sight. Family and friends all gathered round Uncle Yaw to his story. Efia sat with Yaa and Maame Abena and the cousins were on the other side. "The moral of the story ..."Uncle Yaw continued..."is to love life, be humble and remember your roots" As the story came to a close, all the family and friends held hands and said a prayer of thankfulness. Yaa felt very happy. She thinks to herself...my name is Yaa Owusuwaa and I will always be grateful.

Glossary of Twi Words and Expressions Adℇn – Why?

Adwoa – Traditional Ghanaian Dance

Akolono – Children

Akwaaba Welcome Akwadaa bɔne – naughty child

Busa kwanso = asking how your journey was

charlie wƆtes – Flip Flops
Daabi - No
ℇnye hwee = it doesn’t matter yℇ nokware anaa – Is it the truth?
 
Heh adℇn na woo hwℇ me saa - why are you looking at me like that?

Kaba and slit = Traditional Ghanaian Women’s clothing

Kele wele = diced and spiced fried plantain

KƆkƆƆ = plantain

Kraman = dog

Maakye oo - Good morning oo
 
Mee kƆ abƆnten nti mee hyℇ mataadeℇ

- I'm going out so I'm looking for my clothes!

Mepaakyew – I beg you
ƆdƆ, = love

Saaaa - Really

Wate- Do you understand?

WƆfa – Uncle
Ye da Ewurade ase = we give thanks to God Ye da mo ase paa - we thank you so much

YℇnkƆ = let’s go

Wo ho te sen – How are you?