Historicizing Ghanaian Foodways and Community in New England

• In Event: New Directions in the Study of Global Africa: Migration, Language and Foodways

Description for Program

While there are large concentrations of Ghanaians and West Africans in several American cities (New York, Houston, etc.), Ghanaian people are the most prominent African community in Worcester, Massachusetts, due to their noticeable restaurants, markets, churches, and other businesses. Ghanaian-born and American-born children of Ghanaians work in every sector in Massachusetts. However, there is a distinct representation of Ghanaian people living in Worcester whose profession relates to foodways, including food markets, restaurants, catering, and importing food products from Ghana. Starting in the 1990s, Ghanaian restaurants and shops have become common sights across the city, and many Ghanaian families rely on these locations for a nourishing, affordable meal after a long day at work. This interdisciplinary paper uses a diverse array of archives, such as those accessible at the City of Worcester, Ghanaian restaurant and market businesses, and national and local newspapers, as well as participant-observation and interviews. While it accounts for engagement between Ghanaians and other populations in Worcester, this presentation centers the Ghanaian community, their activities, and their experiences. By examining the history of Ghanaian immigration and how the circulation of commodities has helped this diasporic community to create a sense of belonging and ownership in an urban space, this paper brings into focus an important method that foreign-born communities use to create sustainable environments for themselves and for their families in urban America.

Author

• Alison Okuda, Worcester State University