OUR COLLECTION — AFRICA — GHANA 465. SAM'S THORNWOOD NATIVITY
This thornwood Nativity was made by Sam Addo Offei in Accra, Ghana. Sam styled his Nativity after the classic thornwood Nativities from Nigeria, although his figures are larger than typical Nigerian figures. In his words, “I was inspired by the Nigerian thornwood Nativity set because it is of exceptional high quality and unfortunately not found in Ghana. I use the same kind of thornwood.”
This set contains 16 figures: Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, an angel, a shepherd, three connected sheep, three wise men, a village woman carrying sticks on her head, a village man carrying two baskets of food on a pole, a village woman carrying a basket of food on her head, a village man with a flask of water, and a village woman pounding cassava to make fufu—the staple of Ghanian cuisine. The red seeds used in the villagers’ food baskets are called obirekuaniwa (in the local Twi language). Joseph measures 3.25 inches tall.
Sam has always liked art. Long ago he went to a teacher training college and learned how to carve. A teacher at the college encouraged him and sponsored him. Sam has worked in his own shop since 1999. He creates other types of art besides carving: Sam likes oil painting the best of all the art mediums. He is always trying to create.
Sam’s first name is actually Kwabina, which means “Tuesday born.” When he was a small boy, Sam was in a car accident that killed his father. He hurt his left arm near his wrist. His family lived in a village without a doctor so his wrist healed in an awkward position. Despite the handicap, Sam has led a normal life and does not feel disadvantaged. He has a wife and three children.
This set contains 16 figures: Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, an angel, a shepherd, three connected sheep, three wise men, a village woman carrying sticks on her head, a village man carrying two baskets of food on a pole, a village woman carrying a basket of food on her head, a village man with a flask of water, and a village woman pounding cassava to make fufu—the staple of Ghanian cuisine. The red seeds used in the villagers’ food baskets are called obirekuaniwa (in the local Twi language). Joseph measures 3.25 inches tall.
Sam has always liked art. Long ago he went to a teacher training college and learned how to carve. A teacher at the college encouraged him and sponsored him. Sam has worked in his own shop since 1999. He creates other types of art besides carving: Sam likes oil painting the best of all the art mediums. He is always trying to create.
Sam’s first name is actually Kwabina, which means “Tuesday born.” When he was a small boy, Sam was in a car accident that killed his father. He hurt his left arm near his wrist. His family lived in a village without a doctor so his wrist healed in an awkward position. Despite the handicap, Sam has led a normal life and does not feel disadvantaged. He has a wife and three children.