Celebrating Ghanaian Heritage at Tracey Towers

The Christian Journal, Bronx New York - The Ghanaian community of Tracey Towers, on Saturday July 12 2014 celebrated their Annual Durbar at the Dewitt Clinton High School. The theme for this year was Celebrating Ghanaian Heritage. One of the most attractive aspects of the Ghanaian culture is the colorful display of traditional regalia and our beloved kente at durbars which are held yearly in some parts of Ghana. These durbars reveal some common features and beliefs of the Ghanaian society. By coming together it also help the community to seek togetherness and relationship among themselves.

The durbar was colorful and delightful to watch as Kings and Queens arrived at the durbar ground in their traditional pageantries welcomed with drumming and dancing.

Some of the Kings and Queens at the durbar was Nana Osiahene Oduro Appiako II, Nana Dr Kwakontan III, Nana Agyare Adjei, Nana Kofi Tuuda, Nana Kufour Aduana hene of North America, Oseadeayo Agyapong Baidoo Brobbey. The durbar also marked the outdooring of Nana Adobea I to the community. Some of the dignitaries and elected officials invited to the durbar were, Mr. Grace Eshun Consul Ghana Mission, Raymond Harry Reynolds Head of Information Ghana Mission, Margaret Buadu Ghana Mission, US Congressman Charles Rangel, State Senator Ruth Hansell-Thompson, State Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, New York State Councilman Andy king, New York State Assemblyman Keith Wright, New York City Council Andrew Cohen and Kenneth Agosto from the office of State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson

Congressman Charles Rangel thanked the community for organizing such an event and expressed his belief that this durbar was another good lesson that the community and American could learn from the people of Ghana in the respect for their traditions and cultural values.

State Senator Ruth Hansell-Thompson in her speech said “her job is to help the children of the borough grow into the leaders of tomorrow, and part of that growth is remembering and rediscovering their ancestry.”

It was a beautiful display of the Ghanaian culture and tradition.