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Towards the Standardisation of African Musical Instruments: The At?nt?b?n in Perspective
Get PDFThis paper interrogates the concept of standardisation in the development of the Ghanaian at?nt?b?n (bamboo flute) as an indigenous African musical instrument. The paper draws a clear distinction between the concepts of ‘Standardisation’ and ‘Westernisation ‘as it applies to the development of indigenous African musical instruments like the at?nt?b?n. The paper further explores the challenges (tuning, finishing and packaging) that the At?nt?b?n and some other Ghanaian musical instruments face outside their primordial origins. To this end, ethnographic and case study designs were employed. The paper makes the point that applying Western sense of standardisation to the development of African musical instruments is bound to create problems in construction, usage and appreciation both within and outside the cultural context of the instrument
The trilogy of love: Connecting the dots, re-enacting the love stories of Kofi Anyidoho and Atukwei Okai
Get PDFThis article explores the love stories in Kofi Anyidoho’s two love
poems, namely Do not Give too much of your Love to me and
Murmuring, connect them to Atukwei Okai’s love poem Rosimaya
and hypothesizes that the poetic personae in these three poems
unconsciously dialogue with one another. The article further posits
that the three poems can be adapted and produced as a feature film
or can be put on stage for dramatic performance
Cultural affinity of ‘Aso-oke’ among the Yoruba of Nigeria
Get PDFCulture is an all-embracing phenomenon, encompassing knowledge,
beliefs, arts and other capabilities which are acquired by man as a
member of a society. Culture integrates and binds every members
of the society together through shared ideas and standards. More
importantly, it must be made visible and reflected through food,
occupation, clothing including other seemingly unnoticed aspects
of arts and culture. This may include fabric choice, motif and colour.
Textile constitutes an area which reflects the culture of a people who
settle in a particular location and have their cultural characteristic
features that differentiate them from others around. Hence, this
study investigates the cultural affinity of Aso-Oke among the Yoruba
of Nigeria. The study revealed that Aso-oke is important to Nigeria’s history and culture. It also serve as a means of job creation and
economic empowerment while its production bring about several
other tertiary industries like marketing and fashion. It recommends
that the school curriculums of textiles oriented educational
institutions must be redesigned to accommodate the study of
indigenous art and culture including Aso-oke weaving tradition so
that the nation can develop materially and culturally
HYBRID DIMENSIONS IN SCULPTURE: A Courtship and Accidental Off-Springs Resulting from the Matrimony of Organic and Inorganic Elements
Get PDFTraditionally, the word hybrid has been associated with science
to mean the fusion of two different elements to generate an often
improved version. The term ‘hybrid’ as employed by some sculptors
to define what they do is never-ending in meaning. Different
sculptors from different cultural backgrounds give diverse meanings
to what they put together to denote hybridity in sculpture. In this
practice -based research, the sculptor prefers to use the term Hybrid
Sculpture,to describe forms that emanated from the fusion of a variety
of organic and inorganic materials; namely wood, metal, plastics and
fabric, using a blend of both conventional and innovative approaches
to making sculpture. These included carving, welding, assemblage/
construction and scorching
My Language, My Identity: Exploring Identity Construction Processes of Users of Ghanaian Languages in a Multi-Cultural Higher Educational Institution in Ghana
Get PDFThis study examines how speakers of Ghanaian languages construct their
identities in a multi-cultural Higher Educational Institution (HEI) in Ghana.
Situated in the Communication Theory of Identity (CTI), the data were
elicited through interviews, observations and focus group discussions from
12 purposively selected participants from a public university in Ghana. The
data were thematically analysed and the findings revealed that speakers of
Ghanaian languages construct two kinds of identities: public and private.
Both strands are constructed through identification processes that include
proximity to culture, massive local presence and corresponding hegemonic
outlook, de-ethnicisation and identity negotiation, and self-branding in virtual
spaces. The study concludes on the existence of a homologous relationship
between language users and identity construction from both stands of
the essentialist and non-essentialist perspectives. It recommends efforts at
minimizing stereotypical behaviours of ‘othering’ and ‘categorization’ in HEIs
on the bases of a person’s ethnicity, cultural diversity, or languages spoken in
an era of internationalisation and cross-cultural teaching and learning
Ideation of Textile Regalia for Akuapem State Paramountcy: Royal Palanquin and Umbrella in Focus
Get PDFThe study seeks to contribute to the royalty and unity of the Akuapem
State through ideation and execution of textile regalia for Akuapem state
paramountcy. The study is grounded on the Studio-Based research design
employing the Universal Design Methodology taking inspiration from
Akuapem state symbols and the chieftaincy structure with ‘unity in purpose’
as a design philosophy. The results revealed unique textile regalia consisting
of a figurative palanquin and Triple-Headed colossal umbrella. The regalia
are designed with the main Akuapem State symbol, the five (5) divisional
symbols and the eight (8) Akan totems, which do not only reaffirm the unity
of the State but also define the hierarchy of the chieftaincy system in the
Akuapem State. Akuapem is a major ethnic group in the Eastern Region of
Ghana, which consists of sixteen (16) different towns and kingship with rich
cultural tradition and unique symbolism, which the study establishes could
be harnessed for socio-economic development of the state. However, the
schisms among the chiefs witnessed over the years have been the major setback to the developmental agenda of Akuapem State. The study ideated
symbolic textile regalia to serve as a unified force to address the schism
among the state for progressive development. The study recommends the
adoption of the triple-headed umbrella regalia for the paramount chief and
the double-headed umbrella for the divisional chiefs. This is to pave way for
the sub-chiefs to use the single-headed umbrella for easy identification and
hierarchy and status of the various chiefs during festivals and state functions
Rehashing Motherhood Yoruba Anthems for Positive Transformation: A Reflective Nostalgia
Get PDFDespite series of anti-social vices policies and programmes initiated by
governmental and non-governmental agencies, complemented by musical
efforts of some proactive Nigerian women musicians to curb the threatening
vices, the protracted menace still remains opprobrium. In view of this, a
reflective nostalgia for impactful past musical works becomes essential to
salvage the present time being ravaged by social vices in order to secure the
future focus of a transformed society. Therefore, the present study intends
to examine two (2) remarkable evergreen anthems ‘?m? mi seun rere’
by Christy Essien Igbokwe and ‘?m? de o ? gb? oun ti mo f? s?’ by Funmi
Adams to reminisce or rehash motherhood Yoruba anthems for positive
transformation. The research design employed in this study is ex-post facto
to determine the motherhood instruction in the two selected anthems for positive transformation. The two (2) purposively selected anthems were
analysed, pointing out the motherhood guide instruction therein based on
Lewin’s 1940 Change Theory as used by Sherri (2012) and Petiprin (2016). In
addition, discography and library materials such as books, journal articles
and internet sources were consulted. Findings show that the hub of the two
(2) songs is basically to prepare and mould children for future endeavour.
More so, social vices were not only outrightly condemned in the songs, but
consequences of venturing into them were exposed. The study concludes
that being in the lives of children today is the surest way of being in their
memories tomorrow. This is why the study recommends that musical works
that condemn vices and commend virtue which have gone into oblivion
especially by women musicians, need to be revived, so as to complement
policies and programmes initiated by governmental and non-governmental
agencies in curbing social vices in Nigeria
African Wax Print Fabric Design and Production History of Akosombo Textiles Limited in Ghana
Get PDFStudies on the economic impacts of the wax print companies in Ghana abound. However, the design history of the wax prints design culture in post-independence Ghana has received little or no scholarly focus. This study focuses on Akosombo Textiles Limited (ATL) now Akosombo Industrial Company Limited, one of the giants in wax prints in Ghana. Historical research design and expert purposive sampling were used. In all sixteen (16) respondents were selected which comprised of designers, production managers, sales representatives and managers. Semi-structured interview and document review was used to collect the data while available artefacts formed part of the data collected. Historical and document analyses were used as data analysis methods. The study traced the wax prints fabric design and production history of Akosombo Industrial Company Limited, which has been in existence since 1967, highlighting its major fabric design evolution for over five decades of its existence. The study concluded that from 1967 to 2018, ATL produced two (2) main types of designs: ABC Wax designs and Java designs. ABC Wax designs were designed and printed in England while Java designs were designed and printed in Ghana. From 1967 to 2022 the company produced its 19,837 design and counting. AICL design and print both ABC and Java in Ghana from 2018 to present (2023). The study therefore recommends that, AICL should prioritize the creation of fabric design catalogue from 1967 to 2023 for reference, and teaching and learning of designing in Textiles and Fashion related schools in Ghana. The creation of such a catalogue will serve as resource material for analysis on the ABC wax print designs and Java design and to establish how they appertain to Ghanaian culture; as well as for fabric design idea development
THE LINGUISTIC AND POETIC ANALYSIS OF GA TRADITIONAL MUSIC
Get PDFTraditional music practices and idioms continue to shape the creative processes of Ghanaian composers, serving as foundational materials for new compositions and performance styles. However, despite the rich linguistic and poetic qualities of Ga traditional music, limited scholarly attention has been given to how lyrics are structured, rhythmically organised, and integrated into melodic compositions. The absence of comprehensive studies on these elements creates a gap in understanding the techniques that influence text-setting in Ga traditional vocal music. In this regard, the study examines the lyrical content of selected Ga traditional songs, focusing on their linguistic and poetic elements. Data collection involved recordings and musical transcriptions of Ga traditional songs, which were analysed to explore how composers set text to melody, the impact of rhythm on lyrics, the structural and formal characteristics of the lyrics and the cultural imagery they convey. Findings reveal that Ga composers employ intricate rhythmic patterns that influence textual phrasing, and their lyrical structures often reflect oral traditions, storytelling, and cultural symbolism. The study also highlights poetic devices and linguistic techniques that enhance meaning, emotional expression, and cultural identity in traditional music. This research provides insights into how traditional text-setting techniques can inform modern compositional and arrangement practices
MY DANCING REFLECTS YOUR TEACHING: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL EXPLORATION OF AFRICAN DANCE PEDAGOGY
Get PDFThis paper delves into the intricate relationship between personal dance
experience and pedagogical practice, asserting that "my dancing reflects your
teaching." Employing an autobiographical approach, it meticulously describes
and analyses diverse teaching methods and techniques prevalent in dance
pedagogy, particularly within an African context. Drawing from childhood
encounters, formal student training, and current experiences as a dance
educator, this paper explores the profound influences of master teachers and
communal learning environments. It concludes by proposing culturally resonant
and practically applicable teaching methods, emphasising the holistic
transmission of indigenous knowledge, values, and contemporary expressions in
African dance education