Dagbamba expressive arts

All videos feature members of the Youth Home Cultural Group in Tamale, Ghana.

Filmed in January 2014 (except "Songs") by Michael Frishkopf (video) and David Ewenson (sound); edited by David Ewenson.

We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of a Department of Music President's Fund grant that enabled preparation of this video collection, and the kind cooperation of the Youth Home Cultural Group of Tamale, Ghana who perform and explain the dances, drumming, and songs in the videos below.

(NB: This page is still under development!)

General background and history

Background and History of the Dagbamba people, their music and dance, including Damba, Bamaya, and Jera, as presented by the late Chief of Duuyin Naa, Mr. Von Salifu

General instruction

• Drumming
  • Introduction to Lunga (talking drum), with Bamaya rhythm
  • Introduction to Gung-gong (bass drum), with Bamaya rhythm
  • Introduction to Bamaya, Jera, and Tora Drumming
• Singing
  • Bamaya and Tora Songs (2014; audio only, voices and flute - no drums). Flute can improvise while the lead singer is singing.
    • Dim dila naksha (Bamaya): it is not easy to come by a good life in society: you must work for it
    • Kpaniyagba (Bamaya): welcoming and praising beauty of ladies who lead the bamaya dance
    • Nulandidangba (Bamaya): Discourages the wicked, appealing to ladies not to be wicked in society
    • Lala ashila (Bamaya): people will pretend to love you when they don't love you
    • Da dam eeh (Tora): how can you act to have an impact on society and people will recognize it in your lifetime?
    • Wan ee laila (Tora): motivational song, for person named Laila
    • Man a wurugu (Tora): proverb, talks about trying to do the right thing before you can make headway
  • More songs (2015; video with drumming, need subtitles)

Five dances: Bamaya, Damba, Tora, Takai, Jera

Bamaya

• Bamaya History (towards the end of video)
• Introduction to Lunga (talking drum), with Bamaya rhythm
• Introduction to Gung-gong (bass drum), with Bamaya rhythm
• Bamaya drumming part 1
• Bamaya drumming part 2 (shikolo rhythm)
• Bamaya Dancing (dance only)
• Bamaya Dancing with Drumming
• Bamaya Full Performance

Damba

• Damba History (later in video)
• Damba Drumming
• Damba Dancing with Drumming
• Damba Full Performance

Tora

• Tora History
• Tora Drumming
• Tora Dancing with Drumming
• Tora Full Performance

Takai

• Takai History
• Takai Drumming 1
• Takai Drumming 2
• Takai Dancing with introduction (dance only)
• Takai Dancing (dance only)
• Takai Dancing with Drumming
• Takai Full Performance

Jera

• Jera History (see above)
• Jera Drumming
• Jera Dancing with Drumming
• Jera Full Performance

Other resources

Please see the following excellent resources as well:

• Dagomba Dance-Drumming at Tufts University (prepared by Prof. David Locke)
• Drums of Dagbon, documentary film by John Miller Chernoff
• A Drummer's Testament, on traditional music and culture of the Dagbamba people in northern Ghana.