Korabea (Krah - Bia)

From the Sunday Mirror April 20. 1969 The Sunday Mirror was one of Ghana’s most widely read newspapers in the post independence Ghana, documenting everyday life, style and culture during the post-independence era.

Family Photograph, Takoradi,1975 Shared as part of the Korabea Archive

The year was before independence. The land was the Gold Coast. The women….speaking power into a nation still finding its name.

Today, we remember Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings A visionary, an advocate and one of Ghana’s longest serving First Ladies. She passed away today at the age of 76 Her life’s work reshaped how women’s voices were heard in the public sphere. Her story remains a vital chapter in the archive of Ghanaian women’s history.

The colors, the confidence, the craft. Ghanaian women have always worn their stories with pride As Kente receives Geographical Indication (GI) status, we celebrate not just the fabric but the women who’ve carried its legacy….styling and redefining what Ghanaian beauty means for generations. Swipe to see how it was done in the early 1960’s -“The Kente cloth and the fanciful blouse.”

The year was 1965 and wigs had burst on the scene in a vibrant 8 year old Ghana. A lot of my archival research has shown me that things change but things also stay exactly the same. The conversation around wigs today and 60 years ago is so similar. This editorial about the impact, both positive and negative and the cultural context of wigs for US is still brewing……a whole 60 years in. Please zoom in to read the opinions shared. Fascinating! …….And the girls are still going to do what they want to do hunny! ….And @thekorabea is here to hold space for the gworls!

An honor to hold space with other organizations doing the work to preserve the history of the continent and its diaspora in celebration of the 95th birthday of @james_barnor_archives . So much work to be done and so many passionate custodians of memory at work. Thank you @si.hene for creating this space.

We’re excited to invite you to “Custodians of Memory,” a special event as part of our Vanishing Past: A Community Archiving Workshop. Come hear from archival projects that are dedicated to preserving and showcasing Ghana’s and Africa’s rich cultural heritage. Date: Saturday, June 8th, 2024 Time: 1:00 PM Venue: Jamestown Cafe, High Street, Accra, Ghana (Next to Ussher Fort) Our Custodians include, @the_nana_project , which gathers, preserves, and gives first-hand accounts of Ghanaian history. @postbox.ghana finds stories in old pictures, stamps, and other items from Ghana and Africa; @thekorabea works to keep the stories of Ghanaian women alive, safe, and inspiring; and Denyse G-Mensah [@scorpio.eyes ] wants to bring back a part of Ghanaian history that is almost forgotten. @archiveafrica showcasing how rich and different African history and culture are. @vintageafricanwomen celebrates and honors the rich heritage of black women in Africa. Let’s look into these amazing projects and the important work they do to protect our cultural history and collective memory. Bring your family and friends for an interesting time! #VanishingPast #CommunityArchiving #GhanaHistory #ArchiveGhana #CustodiansOfMemory #CulturalHeritage #PreserveHistory #AccraEvents #JamestownCafe @james_barnor_festival @james_barnor_archives @franceghana

Introducing Korabea. (pronounced Krah-bia) With a passion for archiving Ghana’s rich history, our work intends to highlight women who have shapeshifted the culture. Preserving, protecting, and sharing Ghanaian women’s stories is paramount to our work. This is just the beginning. More to come.