Posted by Chester Morton / Wednesday 27 July 2016 / No comments
Traditional music and dance
Introduction
There is no community in Ghana without a form of traditional music and dance. Traditional music and dance is the indigenous and untainted form of music and dance that traditional people engage in Ghana. The types of music and dance, performed by the various ethnic groups include, but is not limited to, Agbadza, Adowa, and Kpalongo.
IMPORTANCE OF
TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND DANCE
Good for social cohesion
Music and dance are used during social functions such as birthday parties, naming ceremonies, marriage, puberty and funeral ceremonies. It is also used on other occasions such
as the Odwira, Homowo, Hogbetsoto, Akwasidae festivals. This helps to bring the people together.
Expression of sympathy
Traditional music and dance are also used, by traditional people, to express sympathy and share grief with family and friends. Funeral dirges, for example, are used to grief during funerals. In short, traditional music and dance are used to express sympathy toward people.
Used for entertainment
Traditional music and dance serve as a source of
entertainment to the people. People join to sing, drum and dance during
traditional music and dance performances to relieve themselves of fatigue,
tension, and loneliness. While people dance and enjoy themselves, others watch from
the sidelines, they sing and take dance steps and relax to enjoy themselves.
Source of employment
The various drums that are played, during traditional music
and dance performances are carved by craftsmen. Other accompanying instruments
are manufactured by blacksmiths and other trades men. Those who manufacture
these instruments sell them to the public. Again, when the drummers, dancers, and singers are hired to perform during ceremonies and occasions, they are paid.
For these reasons, one can argue that traditional music and dance serve as a
source of employment and income.
Source of information
Talking drums are used to send messages
to people and many times across communities. It is used to summon people in
communities. The type of message played on the instruments determines whether
the situation is an emergency or otherwise. Until the recent introduction of
electronic sirens, the talking drum was used to determine the time for assembly,
break time, change of lesson and so on. The lyrics that traditional songs
contain are used as messages to people. The gestures and signs used by
traditional dancers are also moss codes used to convey messages.
Motivation
Traditional music is important in boosting the morale and
physical strength of people. Songs are used especially on farms during the planting
and harvesting crops. They are also used during fishing expeditions, mending of
nets by fishermen, weaving traditional of cloths, construction works, etc. The
songs are used to ward off fatigue.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. a. Explain traditional music and dance.
b. In which six
ways are traditional music important?
