AGOO!

CALL FOR ATTENTION/PERMISSION

Have you ever heard people say the word AGOO!  anywhere  near you and wondered what it meant before they explained it to you?

AGOO is an Akan ( a language spoken in the West African country of Ghana) that means  many things depending on the context in which it is used.

Meanings:

1. When used during any gathering of people- School, Church/Religious Center, Community Event, Meetings, Family Gathering/Reunion, it becomes a CALL FOR ATTENTION.  The Speaker is respectfully seeking your attention.

2. It is also used as a form of seeking permission to enter someone's home, office or any place that has a gate or a door.  For example, when visiting someone's home or office in Ghana, even if the door is opened and you can even see the person, you respectfully stand by where the door or gate is and KNOCK at the same time saying the word, AGOO expecting an answer from your host before you enter. In Ghana, entering important places such as Chief's palace or any family's house without KNOCKING ( which can be done orally with AGOO!) is considered RUDE.

3. The Third use of Agoo is mostly used in PSA announcing ONE'S ARRIVAL to an industry scene especially performing arts or any service provider- For example, if one is a any performing artist/entrepreneur, the use of the word AGOO on a flyer/poster or any advertising platform is a way of attention seeking INTRODUCTION.  It is this category that we are using the word, AGOO in our first BLOG for the public. We are announcing our presence for YOU to accept us in your homes, offices, churches, religious centers, schools, hospitals, recreational centers and communities with a silent AKWAABA.

Thank you for accepting us.

ANSWER TO AGOO!

As you may be aware, most of the Ghanaian or African socialization process and performing arts involves what is called CALL and RESPONSE.   The Call for Attention/and Seeking of Permission has its special response in the word: AMEE!

Naturally, it means YOU have my ATTENTION and You have MY PERMISSION in the latter.

The Response to the Third Use of Agoo! is mostly an implied one. It is a silent nod of approval or welcome that can be mentioned even when the one seeking your attention/approval is not around and you say AKWAABA.

AKWAABA

Another important common and popular Akan word is AKWAABA which means WELCOME.

We are saying AKWAABA to you for visiting our blog, the ABA SANKOFA ROOTS CONNECTION.

WHAT IS ABA SANKOFA ROOTS CONNECTION?

ABA is an acronym from AFRICA BEYOND AFRICA.

SANKOFA is also an Akan word for Connecting with One's Past, Learning From it and Using It to Benefit Self, Families and the Community.

ABA SANKOFA ROOTS CONNECTION is a Las Vegas response to the International call from the Ghana government for African Americans to connect to their roots  and Return to Africa to visit, study, do business or stay through an Easy Visa for the Black Diaspora.

It is a project that we are developing and will help people travel to Ghana, West Africa for Ancestral connection, Tourism Interests, Business Opportunities, Conferences, Study Abroad Opportunities and other opportunities.

As part of this, we are developing series of programs( To be announced later) that will prepare our people for this important journeys to Africa.

We are happy to have you here. Meanwhile, take your time to watch some of the shared videos that speak about the YEAR OF RETURN.

WELCOME TO AFRICA WITH DHAT GYAL OF GHANA

 BABA GEE

International Relations Director

International Center for African Culture and Arts ( ICACA)

Las Vegas, Nevada.