Joseph Kossivi Ahiator

**Joseph Kossivi Ahiator** (born 1956) be African politician den Ghanaian artist dem know for ein temple mural paintings insyd Bénin, Ghana, and Togo. He be member of de National Democratic Congress (NDC) den a former Member of Parliament for de Ketu South Constituency insyd de Volta Region of Ghana.

## Biography
Na dem born Joseph Kossivi Ahiator insyd 1956 insyd Aflao, Ghana. Ein primary focus insyd de concepts of ein artwork be de ocean, as well as de Mami Wata spirit, Indian Spirits, den oda Vodu Gods wey komot from wey dem be connected to de sea. He dey believe ein interest insyd de sea derive from ein frequent visits to India den de fact say na dem born am plus Indian spirits from de Mami Wata pantheon. Secof dis, chaw of ein temple paintings fi get de same figures anaa imagery wey dey demonstrate de link between India, Africa, den de seas. Dan Aida Wedo, the rainbow serpent Vodu be one reoccurring spirit.

## Career

### Politics
Joseph Kossivi Ahiator currently be a member of de National Democratic Congress (NDC). Na he formerly be member of Parliament for de Ketu South Constituency insyd de Volta Region of Ghana from 2009-2017. For addition, na he be de Minister of state in charge of tertiary education from 2009-2013.

### Art
Dem fi see Ahiator ein Vodun imagery den content as a reflection of globalization wey dey see am as edey demonstrate de connection between India den Africa. Although de artist dey feel a personal spiritual connection between de two, ein art be symbolic of de connection between cultures thru tangible things like cloth consumption, den de trading networks of south Asian merchants wey allow for a literal connection, den der fore a spiritual one.
## Artworks
**"India Spirits" 1996**

**"King of Mami Wata" 2005**

**"Maman Tchamba and Tchamba Temple Mural" 1970**
## Exhibitions
Joseph Kossivi Ahiator ein work be mainly temple paintings, so dem fi consider chaw of ein works as public exhibitions; however, de artist no get record of official public exhibitions.

## Collections
Ahiator ein work, "Indian King of Mami Wata", dey currently in possession of de Fowler Museum at UCLA

Chaw beautiful Tchamba temple murals still dey stand make dem see scattered art all thru out Benin, Togo, den Ghana.

## References

### Citations



### Sources
* Adjibodou, Venise Nichole. ''Everyday Vodun: Materiality, Affect, and Knowledge in Southern Benin''. University of Pennsylvania, 2018.
** This source provides information about the Tchamba culture and interpreting murals
* Adogame, Afeosemime Unuose; Echtler, Magnus; Vierke, Ulf (2008). *Unpacking the New: Critical Perspectives on Cultural Syncretization in Africa and Beyond*. LIT Verlag Münster. p.&nbsp;212. 
* Bellagamba, Alice; Greene, Sandra E.; Klein, Martin A. (13 May 2013). *African Voices on Slavery and the Slave Trade: Volume 1, The Sources*. Cambridge University Press. p.&nbsp;170. 
* Charles, et al. *Crossing Borders in African Literatures*. *Handel Books*, 2015.
* Drewal, Henry J. *Local Transformations, Global Inspirations The Visual Histories and Cultures of Mami Wata Arts in Africa*. 2nd ed., ResearchGate, 2013.
** Journal provides a brief explanation behind the inspiration for "Indian King of Mami Wata".
* Drewal, Henry John. “Mami Wata: Arts for Water Spirits in Africa and Its Diasporas.” *African Arts*, vol. 41, no. 2, 2008, pp.&nbsp;60–83. JSTOR 20447886 Accessed 2 Nov. 2023.
** This journal provides a background on the art that Ahiator is interested in: the interconnectedness of the ocean and spirits from Africa and India.
* , Barbara. “Permitted and Prohibited Wealth: Commodity-Possessing Spirits, Economic Morals, and the Goddess Mami Wata in West Africa.” *Ethnology*, vol. 34, no. 4, 1995, pp.&nbsp;331–46.  Accessed 2 Nov. 2023.
** This source provides a background on Mami Wata culture.
* Hawley, John C. *India in Africa, Africa in India: Indian Ocean Cosmopolitanisms Borders in African Literatures*. *Indiana University Press*, 2008.
* Miller, Joseph C. (18 January 2015). *The Princeton Companion to Atlantic History*. Princeton University Press. p.&nbsp;318. 
* Roy, Anjali Gera. "Writer of the Year JAL, No. 8, 2011."'
** Article about Dana Rush, who specializes in the incorporation of India through chromolithographic images into the religious system of Vodun. Includes some information about the artist in relation to the author.
* Rush, Dana. "In remembrance of slavery: Tchamba Vodun arts." *African Arts*, vol. 44, no. 1, spring 2011, pp.&nbsp;40+. *Gale Literature Resource Center*, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A252632138/LitRC?u=anon~7259b14d&sid=googleScholar&xid=b4445804. Accessed 1 Nov. 2023.
** This article provides some background on the vodun complex
* Rush, Dana. "GLOBAL MAMI:“INDIA” AND MAMI WATA IN WEST AFRICAN VODU."
** This is an article with a large exert on Joseph Kossivi Ahiator that coves some basic biography and its published by the University of Illinois so it should be a reliable source.
* Rush, Dana. "In Remembrance of Slavery: Tchamba Vodun." *African Diaspora Archaeology Newsletter* 14.2 (2011): 1.
** Article contains brief explanation of the artist's artwork and several pictures of pieces he has done
* Rush, Dana. "The Idea of ‘India’ in West African Vodun Art and Thought." *India in Africa, Africa in India: Indian Ocean Cosmopolitanisms* (2008): 149-180.
** Background on vodun and Mami Wata and connection with Africa