What can YOU carry on your head…?

I have tried to capture various instances of people carrying items on their heads. Everyone knows how to and most people do. It is a way of life and of carrying items. I imagine this is partly why most the people here have excellent posture. I wonder how their necks can handle it though. The one picture I was not able to get was a man carrying a generator on his head. Maybe I will get it before we leave.

 

 

 

One of our first experiences when we were here is when Nkansah was showing us how “easy” it was to carry Nate’s backpack on his head.

 

I could not believe these guys carrying giant chainsaws and generators on their heads.

 

Young kids are also always carrying stuff on their heads, most often water in buckets. The girl above is in Sankubenase and the the girl below is outside Elmina Castle in Cape Coast.

 

This man is definitely maximizing the space around his body in which he carries his products. (Aburi)

 

For some reason this one makes me think of a circus. These are clothes which are used to wash. (Koforidua)

 

The photo above is one of the smaller loads of lumber I have seen a lady carrying (as you can see below). Most often they have a baby strapped to their back as well. The other day I saw a lady at the farm with a machete in one hand, baby on the back, and a full load on her head. I am not sure how they do it!

(Photo copyright Matt Barr)

 

This is Junior fetching some water for me and the soccer team the day we played with Miche. That is 3.75 gallons of water by the way. (copyright Matt Barr)

 

 

This was the first kid to offer to carry my bag for money rather than just demanding or begging it. He spoke French only. I absolutely hired him and support entrepreneurism…if that is a word. (Accra)

 

At least if this guy falls he will be protected from all the pillows. (Accra)

 

This man has an entire sunglasses store on his head. (Accra – I think)

 

Sister of Clement (whose house we couch surfed at in Tamale) carrying my bag inside. (Tamale)

 

As we waited for our bus which was about 6 hours late this lady satisfied our snack cravings. (Tamale)

 

Girl helping out mom with her chop bar. (Tamale)

 

The lady on the left is carrying meat pies. Many food items are sold to people in tro tros and on the street, all from their head. The man in the middle has a sewing machine on his head.

 

This cute girl begged me to take her photo. She is carrying a giant tub of water. (Cape Three Points)

 

Nate helping one of our neighbors to the taxi with their bag. (Cape Three Points)

 

We saw these ladies heading home from the farm (8 miles each way by foot by the way). The crazy thing is these two were walking faster than us, in flip flops, and through the rain.

 

And to finish off the post, our very own Maddie and Chloee carrying a mattress to the guest house for the Miche/World Joy reps arrival. Just working our way in to the culture!