The Dilemma of a Ghost – Ama Ata Aidoo

Hailing from Abeadzi Kyiakor, Ghana Ama Ata Aidoo is a playwright, novelist and poet. Her works examine the traditional roles that were the norm to African women.

Aidoo’s first play, The Dilemma of a Ghost (1965) put her on the map to becoming a well known writer who I think understands the roles of mother and wife in African societies. It’s about an African man who brings his African American wife to his village. She deals with being an outsider especially among the other women in the village. Obviously there would the initial stages of culture shock and frictions that it causes. First generations immigrants usually (at least in my case) struggle balancing inherited traditions with newly adopted views. In many tribes in Africa as well other places around the world such as India, arranged marriages are practiced. Reports have shown (google it) that they tend to last longer than marriages based on choices or say love.