Funerals, Weddings and a baby naming ceremony

Red & Black...

Funerals in Ghana are usually on the weekends, but the celebrating goes on for 4-5 days. They're marked by big red and black canopies like these. They will have speakers, professional mourners, much singing and food or alcohol is served. 

Another cemetery

This is a cemetery. They can be found a long roadsides and are usually covered by thick foilage and trees.


Traditional clothing worn by the guests is always red and black which is an indication of mourning.

On a happier note, the weddings here are a joyous occasion with happy bright colors and canopies of bright colors to shade the guests. The couple are standing up at the front To the left side dressed in white robes.  The bride's mother lives in our complex and graciously invited us to come to the ceremony.  They were also celebrating the naming of their twin girls whose names are both Alena.  In the photo below, you see the guests standing and moving to the front where the bride and groom are. They are taking money to place in a container as gifts for the newly married couple. After the ceremony, they will feed all of the guests and continue the party with music and visiting.

                                                                                 

Meet the adorable baby girls who were both named Alena, Jr. & Sr.   They do that a lot here.  These little ones are 3 months old.  They've since moved but, their grandma lives by me so, hopefully, I'll get to see them again.  Twins are not uncommon here, it's not an unusual occurance like it is sometimes in the US.