Exploring Ghanaian Cuisine: A Journey Through History

Learning Objective

Total Time: 5 minutes

Students will be able to explain and describe the history of Ghanaian cuisine from its beginnings to modern-day Ghana.

Assessments

Total Time: 2 minutes

Students will complete a brief exit ticket summarizing one key dish from Ghanaian cuisine and its historical significance.

Key Points

Total Time: 5 minutes

• Origins: Overview of early Ghanaian cooking practices and ingredients.
• Colonial Influence: How colonialism introduced new ingredients and culinary practices.
• Cultural Significance: Understanding the role of food in Ghanaian culture and celebrations.
• Modern Adaptations: Exploration of contemporary Ghanaian dishes and international influences.

Opening

Total Time: 5 minutes

• Begin with a sensory engagement by sharing images or samples of traditional Ghanaian dishes such as Jollof rice and Fufu.
• Pose the question: "How do you think history has shaped the foods we eat today?"
• Conduct a quick brainstorming session where students share any prior knowledge of Ghanaian cuisine.

Introduction to New Material

Total Time: 10 minutes

• Present a brief PowerPoint or video featuring:
  • The origins of Ghanaian foods, including indigenous ingredients like cassava and yams.
  • Discuss the impact of trade (including the transatlantic slave trade) and colonialism on Ghanaian culinary practices.
  • Introduce significant celebrations (e.g., Homowo) where food plays a central role.
• Address common misconceptions about African cuisine being homogenous.

Guided Practice

Total Time: 10 minutes

• Divide students into small groups and assign each group a different era of Ghanaian cuisine (pre-colonial, colonial, and modern).
• Ask each group to create a poster that includes:
  • Key ingredients
  • Popular dishes
  • Cultural significance
  • Historical events that affected cuisine
• Groups will prepare to present their findings to the class.

Independent Practice

Total Time: 5 minutes

• Students will individually choose one Ghanaian dish discussed and write a short reflection (3-5 sentences) about its history, ingredients, and personal or cultural significance.

Closing

Total Time: 5 minutes

• Students will share their reflections in pairs to promote discussion.
• Collect exit tickets where students mention one new thing they learned about Ghanaian cuisine.

Extension Activity

Total Time: 3 minutes

• For students seeking more challenge, they could research and present a traditional recipe for a Ghanaian dish, explaining its cultural relevance and any adaptations they would suggest for modern cooking.

Homework

Total Time: 3 minutes

• Ask students to watch a documentary or culinary show about Ghanaian cooking and write a brief overview (1 paragraph) of what they found most interesting.

Standards Aligned

Total Time: 2 minutes

• Content aligns with National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) standards on culture and history, promoting an understanding of diverse global culinary practices.