''House'' (ofie) in the Akan culture of Ghana is the most common metonym for people living together. Mefie (my house) means ''my family''. A house is someone''s identity, it is a sign of security and happiness. A house is the concretisation of social relations and the sentiments accompanying them. A house, not least of all, is a status symbol. Building a house is building a powerful symbol. A house is something to which people attach some of the most cherished virtues of their culture: respect, love, memory, ''home'' and beauty. In this article, building a house is seen as one of the most important achievements in a person''s life. It provides elderly people with respect and security. The article is based on anthropological research in the rural Ghanaian town of Kwahu-Tafo.

Akan - Elderly - House - Ghana - Respect - Reciprocity - Security