Water Bodies
Water bodies may be classified as lagoons, lakes & reservoirs, rivers or waterfalls.
Water bodies may be classified as lagoons, lakes & reservoirs, rivers or waterfalls.
Water has both physical and spiritual significance in Ghana. Physically, its centrality to human life and welfare has led to the growth of communities within walking distances of water sources, the installation of bore-holes to provide continuous clean water, the creation of reservoirs to produce the buffers needed to overcome the effects of the dry season, and on the largest scale the construction of dams to provide hydro-electric power and widespread irrigation systems.
Water has both physical and spiritual significance in Ghana. Physically, its centrality to human life and welfare has led to the growth of communities within walking distances of water sources, the installation of bore-holes to provide continuous clean water, the creation of reservoirs to produce the buffers needed to overcome the effects of the dry season, and on the largest scale the construction of dams to provide hydro-electric power and widespread irrigation systems.
Spiritually, there is a close association between the gods of traditional religion and significant water bodies. In Akan culture, which is well-known to be matrilineal, there is a parallel system of spiritual inheritance which is patrilineal. A father passes his spirit, or ntorɔ, to his son or daughter. There are 12 major sources* of the ntorɔ, which are lesser gods, or bosom, who derive their power from the supreme god, Nyame, namely:
Spiritually, there is a close association between the gods of traditional religion and significant water bodies. In Akan culture, which is well-known to be matrilineal, there is a parallel system of spiritual inheritance which is patrilineal. A father passes his spirit, or ntorɔ, to his son or daughter. There are 12 major sources* of the ntorɔ, which are lesser gods, or bosom, who derive their power from the supreme god, Nyame, namely:
Bosompra (River Pra), Bosomtwe (Lake Bosomtwe), Bosommuru (a river near Bodwesango in Adansi North District), Bosomnketia or Bosompo(the Sea), Bosomdwerɛbe, Bosomakom, Bosomafi, Bosomayensu (River Ayensu), Bosomakonsi, Bosomsika, Bosomafram (River Afram), and Bosomkrete (a shrine at Aburi).
*References:A. C. Denteh, "Ntoro and Nton"K. Agyekum, "The Sociolinguistic of Akan Personal Names", Legon, 2006
Vernacular terms for Water Bodies
Vernacular terms for Water Bodies
As in English, many terms are ambiguous and can be used interchangeably.