The number one key to enjoying a particular place is making yourself as comfortable as possible by learning and adapting to the cultural orientation of the people in that particular area.
The Volta Region of Ghana is one of the beautiful places you can ever visit. It also has the most beautiful and catchy sceneries such as the tallest mountain in Ghana called Afadzato (Mount Afadza), Adaklu mountain, waterfalls, and many others.
Therefore it is important to learn the following words before you visit the region.
- Woezor: This word meaning welcome is used to welcome persons who enter a home, a meeting, or any gathering of any sort. Therefore it is important to know it before you visit the region
- Akpe: Obviously, you have to respond to ‘woezor’ and ‘Akpe’ which means ‘Thanks’ or thank you is used in this regard. Don’t forget this.
- Tsi: It is a folkway in the Volta Region to offer water to anyone who comes from a trip. So it is important to know the meaning of water in Ewe which is ‘tsi’. So they may ask you, “Xor tsi na no” which means “take water and drink”
- Va: Va is a verb that means come. So whenever you hear the word ‘va’ you should know that they are referring to come.
- Dzo : This is the opposite of va, and so obviously it means go. They are antonyms yet they seem to occur in situations simultaneously so take note of it.
- Nududu: This is the Ewe translation of the English word called food. Just as you will be offered tsi (water) so you will be offered nududu (food) too.
- Éfoã: This Ewe word in English means ‘how are you. This is important to know because those older than you will definitely ask you.
- Mawu: Ewes are dominated largely by Christians, and a few of them prefer to worship some kinds of idols. Mawu is the Ewe name for God.
- Awò: This word means No. So when you hear some say awò, it means no which also actually means a disagreement, depending on the context.
- Zor nyuie: The direct English translation of this word is ‘walk well’ which literally means farewell. It is used to bid farewell when you are traveling out.
Note that the words with ‘or’ are not written in Ewe as such, instead they use the alphabet that is completely opposite ‘c’.
