LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

Heather Menezes

(January 2014)

Dear Ghanatta, I just finished reading all the articles in Buluk 7 and I want to commend you, Franz and Evans for an outstanding job. After 13 years of going back and forth between Canada and Sandema, I can honestly say it feels like my second home, and the Bulsa people have become as dear to me as my own family. However, while busily trying to complete my project work during short stints of 3-4 weeks, I have never really had an opportunity to understand the rich history of this culture.

I read Eric Ayaric’s recollections of his school experience as if it were a historical novel…I felt transported back in time and inspired by this man and his determination. I immediately thought of printing this article and having the boys at HCC read it during a family meeting…there are some powerful life lessons contained in this piece that will serve them well and are very applicable today. In a similar vein, as a teacher in Canada, reading about the first formal schools in Sandema was so illuminating. I really loved how you included excerpts directly from the log books, capturing the historical ‘voices’ of these administrators for us to understand their mindset and perspective at the time.

I was inspired by Evans’ work in Wiaga, and I hope that we can find a way to support his program. We often receive footballs as donations and now I hope that we can direct some of them towards Evans. Evans actually gave me a different understanding of funerals. I have often felt heavy-hearted imagining vulnerable families who must set aside such vast amounts of money for food and drinks for funeral guests. But Evans argued effectively about the spiritual and cultural significance of the funeral, and allowed me to see it in a different way.

I believe that, like a prized antique piece, the articles in your journal will become more valuable with each passing year. While it may be true, as Franz Kroger writes so eloquently, that the passing of some of the cherished Bulsa elders is comparable to ‘vanishing libraries’, you are all doing an extraordinary job of documenting this history for current and future generations, as well as reflecting critically on the current people, events and trends that are shaping Bulsa today. Congratulations and may you continue this exceptional work for all of us to enjoy!

Fondly, Heather

Prof. Dr. Assibi Amidu

Department of Linguistics at the University of Trondheim, Norway, e-mail to Ghanatta, 26th June,2014

Thank you very much for your parcel with the volumes of Buluk. My family and I are pleased to have something to read about home. I have been following the progress of your website for a number of years...

Prof. Dr. Jack Goody

St. John’s College, Cambridge

Dear Franz Kröger, Thank you very much for the Bulsa volume, which I enjoyed reading...

Prof. Dr. A. Awedoba

University of Ghana, Institute of African Studies (2014):

Dear Franz, I received Buluk 7 about 20 minutes ago...On my own behalf let me say a big thank you. It is a beautiful and informative journal. I have already read several pages of the journal and found it to be very informative and very well written.

Notes from Bulubisa Meina Yeri, a website of the Bulsa community (2014)

Abednego Salami @Ghanatta Ayaric: u re doing a great work for we the BULISAS; ti kowa NAAWEN dek ale niak fu mna yegayega.

Fidelis Landy: Just finished reading the journal. Great work.

Alfred Amoak: That great work done. Am so happy.

Gilbert Abasimi: Nice piece. I have glanced through the contents and read some of the articles. I am keen on the article by Evans Atuik, about the expenses on final funeral rites. I believe there is a lot to develop on that issue.