Throughout its 200 years of existence the village of Adamorobe, Ghana has been known to have an abnormally high number of villagers who were born deaf. Although the label “deaf village” no longer applies to Adamorobe it still has a deaf population that may be the highest concentration in Ghana or even West Africa today.  Over time, the deaf community has developed an indigenous sign language unlike any other in existence and is thought to be as old as American Sign Language.  The deaf population in Adamorobe is thought to have been as high as 60% at one time, but is now down to 2% (roughly 33 people).  Although the members are fully incorporated into the community, they tend to spend a lot of time together.  During a study abroad semester I spent one month photographing at interviewing in the village of Adamorobe.

Many of the deaf villagers in Adamorobe have tattoos on their inner forearms in the event that they get lost and others are not able to understand them.On this woman’s arm it reads Adamorobe, Ama (her name), and what I think is her birth date.  Since Adamorobe Sign Language is only spoken within the village, there is a good chance that those who venture out encounter some difficulties when communicating.

© Elena Rue, 2003, All Rights Reserved