Dagbamba expressive arts: Difference between revisions

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'''All videos shot in January 2014 (except "Songs") by Michael Frishkopf (video) and David Ewenson (sound), and subsequently 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 [http://yhcg.net Youth Home Cultural Group] of Tamale, Ghana who perform and explain the dances, drumming, and songs in the videos below.
'''This page is devoted to interpreting Dagbamba performance arts, including music, dance, and songs.'''
'''
 
short URL:  http://bit.ly/dagbamba
 
Except as noted, all videos feature members of the [http://yhcg.net Youth Home Cultural Group] in Tamale, Ghana. They were filmed in January 2014 by [http://frishkopf.org Michael Frishkopf] (video) and David Ewenson (audio) and subsequently edited by David Ewenson.
 
''We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of a University of Alberta Department of Music President's Fund grant that enabled preparation of this video collection, and the kind cooperation of the [http://yhcg.net Youth Home Cultural Group] of Tamale, Ghana who perform and explain the dances, drumming, and songs in the videos below. We are also grateful to the late Chief of Duuyin Naa, Mr. Von Salifu, who provided historical and cultural background on the Dagbamba people as well as each dance.''
 
NB: This page is still under development!


''(NB: This page is still under development!)
''
= General background and history =
= General background and history =
[https://youtu.be/db6QS6Ka150 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
[https://youtu.be/db6QS6Ka150 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
= Full performances by the [http://yhcg.net Youth Home Cultural Group] =
* [https://youtu.be/GVG9QXTOGi0 Bamaya]
* [https://youtu.be/jV4CRaHWkHw Damba]
* [https://youtu.be/g3Icxmp5lpg Takai]
* [https://youtu.be/B7sghPura-E Tora]
* [https://youtu.be/X-89DstDWwo Jera]


= General instruction =
= General instruction =


* Drumming
== Drumming ==
** [https://youtu.be/z0CTOCuVhH8 Introduction to Lunga (talking drum), with Bamaya rhythm]
* [https://youtu.be/z0CTOCuVhH8 Introduction to Lunga (talking drum), with Bamaya rhythm]
** [https://youtu.be/gBhAe2sJYr0 Introduction to Gung-gong (bass drum), with Bamaya rhythm]
* [https://youtu.be/gBhAe2sJYr0 Introduction to Gung-gong (bass drum), with Bamaya rhythm]
** [https://youtu.be/JNa9bUQD35w Introduction to Bamaya, Jera, and Tora Drumming]
* [https://youtu.be/JNa9bUQD35w Introduction to Bamaya, Jera, Tora, and Damba Drumming]
* Singing
== Singing ==
** [https://youtu.be/ki1eoChWQ1w Bamaya and Tora Songs] (2014; audio only, voices and flute - no drums). Flute can improvise while the lead singer is singing.
* [https://youtu.be/ki1eoChWQ1w Bamaya and Tora Songs] (2014; audio only, voices and flute - no drums). Flute can improvise while the lead singer is singing. Often the flute brings in the call and the group responds. Note that flute and singing melody will follow the tones of the language (Dagbani). Also the songs may have a specific place within the sequence of drumming rhythms.
*** Dim dila naksha (Bamaya): it is not easy to come by a good life in society: you must work for it
** Bamaya (songs are all sung to the introductory rhythms)
*** Kpaniyagba (Bamaya): welcoming and praising beauty of ladies who lead the bamaya dance
*** Dinvele Nyasa (Bamaya): "Living well is good, but financing it is a problem. It is not easy to come by a good life in society: you must work for it".  Dinvela nyasa dahama kani oh, aduniya nima dinvela nyasa dahama kine oh (you need something sweet in life but you don't have money) 
*** Nulandidangba (Bamaya):  Discourages the wicked, appealing to ladies not to be wicked in society
*** Paɣaba (Bamaya): "Welcoming and praising beauty of ladies who lead the Bamaya dance." One lady, called Paɣaba, didn't like having to fetch water. One day she went to the dam site to fetch water, and they sang for her when she was coming back home:  "Paɣaba Kuchan Kulika Paɣaba Paɣaba Paɣaba Maraba" (She doesn't want to go, welcome Paɣaba!) Note: the flute alone plays the call "Paɣaba Kuchan Kulika"
*** Lala ashila (Bamaya): people will pretend to love you when they don't love you
*** Paɣ ŋulana da danka zrikala ni (Bamaya):  "Discourages ladies from being wicked in society." Each wife has a day or week to cook.  The wife who doesn't cook for the family is called Ŋulana. The story is that when it's her turn to cook, don't go for the soup because you won't eat well - she won't cook enough soup to match the TZ (grain).
*** Da dam eeh (Tora): how can you act to have an impact on society and people will recognize it in your lifetime?
*** Lalalala ashea lalala ka duniya bea (Bamaya): "People will pretend to love you when they don't love you." Many songs are proverbs used to insult each other, or to complain if someone doesn't act generously. But today's world based on religion and faith rejects such songs.
*** Wan ee laila (Tora):  motivational song, for person named Laila
** Tora (each song goes with a particular rhythmic section)
*** Man a wurugu (Tora): proverb, talks about trying to do the right thing before you can make headway
*** Da dam yoo da dam yoo da dam bemi o yea niŋ sham kabibolo nira beti yea bolomira dab yi kobe la ogbalini (Tora): "how can human being act to have a good impact on society so that people will talk good about you in your lifetime, rather than after you are dead and gone?"
*** Wa lea la wa Leala oye yea wa lea la wa lea la yea (Tora):  motivational song, for person named Laila (Leala)
*** Mana wuruku kovi ka to (Tora): proverb, talks about trying to do the right thing before you can make progress: okra soup - you remove okra from farm, dry it, and pound it before you can eat. Note: flute plays "Mana wuruku" and group responds with the rest.
** [https://youtu.be/_1u339jgz4I More songs] (2015; video with drumming, need subtitles)
** [https://youtu.be/_1u339jgz4I More songs] (2015; video with drumming, need subtitles)
* Tora Stories:
** Chief's wife couldn't become pregnant; chief's friend (nazo) brought her to shrine and she got pregnant. Her friends teased her that the nazo was the father. He ran away over the wall.  (Many Tora songs are teases.)
**


= Dances =
= Five dances: Bamaya, Damba, Tora, Takai, Jera =
 
== Damba ==
* History (see above)
* [https://youtu.be/UP68THBa0k8 Damba Drumming]
* [https://youtu.be/mN2SOGsHE-c Damba Dancing with Drumming]


== Bamaya ==
== Bamaya ==
* History (see above)
* [https://youtu.be/db6QS6Ka150 Bamaya History] (towards the end of video)
* Drumming - see introductory videos above, and also below:
* [https://youtu.be/z0CTOCuVhH8 Introduction to Lunga (talking drum), with Bamaya rhythm]
* [https://youtu.be/gBhAe2sJYr0 Introduction to Gung-gong (bass drum), with Bamaya rhythm]
* [https://youtu.be/F2z_dwfGPxs Bamaya drumming part 1]
* [https://youtu.be/F2z_dwfGPxs Bamaya drumming part 1]
* [https://youtu.be/EfbQPJ_wHbk Bamaya drumming part 2 (shikolo rhythm)]
* [https://youtu.be/EfbQPJ_wHbk Bamaya drumming part 2 (shikolo rhythm)]
* [https://youtu.be/24ZhdJET7fs Bamaya Dancing (dance only)]
* [https://youtu.be/24ZhdJET7fs Bamaya Dancing (dance only)]
* [https://youtu.be/2Xy_4op12LA Bamaya Dancing with Drumming]
* [https://youtu.be/2Xy_4op12LA Bamaya Dancing with Drumming]
* Bamaya Singing:  see song links above
* [https://youtu.be/GVG9QXTOGi0 Bamaya Full Performance]
== Damba ==
* [https://youtu.be/db6QS6Ka150 Damba History] (later in video)
* [https://youtu.be/UP68THBa0k8 Damba Drumming]
* [https://youtu.be/mN2SOGsHE-c Damba Dancing with Drumming]
* [https://youtu.be/jV4CRaHWkHw Damba Full Performance]


== Tora ==
== Tora ==
* [https://youtu.be/6rgWwyGdq7Q History]
* [https://youtu.be/6rgWwyGdq7Q Tora History]
* [https://youtu.be/Osq1phJkQmU Drumming]
* [http://dl.tufts.edu/file_assets/tufts:MS122.002.002.00001 Tora history] at Tuft's [https://sites.tufts.edu/dagomba/history-stories/ Dagomba Dance-Drumming site]
* [https://youtu.be/Osq1phJkQmU Tora Drumming]
* [https://youtu.be/Tg26K9jSscU Tora Dancing with Drumming]
* [https://youtu.be/Tg26K9jSscU Tora Dancing with Drumming]
* Tora Singing:  see song links above
* [https://youtu.be/B7sghPura-E Tora Full Performance]


== Takai ==
== Takai ==
* [https://youtu.be/HpngJo6mOms History]
* [https://youtu.be/HpngJo6mOms Takai History]
* [https://youtu.be/2kYrPwpOZiU Drumming]
* [http://dl.tufts.edu/file_assets/tufts:MS122.002.001.00001 Takai history] at Tuft's [https://sites.tufts.edu/dagomba/history-stories/ Dagomba Dance-Drumming site]
* [https://youtu.be/X-o_G0IF0NY Drum instruction: Takai]
* [https://youtu.be/2kYrPwpOZiU Takai Drumming 1]
* [https://youtu.be/X-o_G0IF0NY Takai Drumming 2]
* [https://youtu.be/WNqW3t2B1xY Takai Dancing with introduction (dance only)]
* [https://youtu.be/WNqW3t2B1xY Takai Dancing with introduction (dance only)]
* [https://youtu.be/VNlqPlEDEm4 Takai Dancing] (dance only)
* [https://youtu.be/VNlqPlEDEm4 Takai Dancing] (dance only)
* [https://youtu.be/yPpnPr-1YfE Takai Dancing with Drumming]
* [https://youtu.be/yPpnPr-1YfE Takai Dancing with Drumming]
* [https://youtu.be/g3Icxmp5lpg Takai Full Performance]


== Jera ==
== Jera ==
* History (see above)
* [https://youtu.be/db6QS6Ka150 Jera History] (towards the end of video)  
* [https://youtu.be/C5qsVvg9n1U Jera Drumming]
* [https://youtu.be/C5qsVvg9n1U Jera Drumming]
* [https://youtu.be/EZdq_ZPhUXs Jera Dancing with Drumming]
* [https://youtu.be/EZdq_ZPhUXs Jera Dancing with Drumming]
* [https://youtu.be/X-89DstDWwo Jera Full Performance]


= Other resources =
= Other resources =


Please see the following excellent resources as well:
Please refer to the following excellent resources as well:


* [https://sites.tufts.edu/dagomba/ Dagomba Dance-Drumming] at Tufts University (prepared by Prof. David Locke)
* [https://sites.tufts.edu/dagomba/ Dagomba Dance-Drumming] website at Tufts University (prepared by Prof. David Locke)
* ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/78038014 Drum damba : talking drum lessons]'', by David Locke, featuring Abubakari Lunna. Crown Point, Ind. : White Cliffs Media Co., 1990.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH-_p7uYmTM Drums of Dagbon], documentary film by John Miller Chernoff
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH-_p7uYmTM Drums of Dagbon], documentary film by John Miller Chernoff
* [http://www.adrummerstestament.com/ A Drummer's Testament], on traditional music and culture of the Dagbamba people in northern Ghana.
* [http://www.adrummerstestament.com/ A Drummer's Testament], on traditional music and culture of the Dagbamba people in northern Ghana.
* [http://alma.matrix.msu.edu/the-language-of-african-music-dagbanli#wrapper Dagbanli page on the African Language Materials Archive].

Revision as of 16:04, 20 June 2019

This page is devoted to interpreting Dagbamba performance arts, including music, dance, and songs.

short URL: http://bit.ly/dagbamba

Except as noted, all videos feature members of the Youth Home Cultural Group in Tamale, Ghana. They were filmed in January 2014 by Michael Frishkopf (video) and David Ewenson (audio) and subsequently edited by David Ewenson.

We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of a University of Alberta 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. We are also grateful to the late Chief of Duuyin Naa, Mr. Von Salifu, who provided historical and cultural background on the Dagbamba people as well as each dance.

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

Singing

  • Bamaya and Tora Songs (2014; audio only, voices and flute - no drums). Flute can improvise while the lead singer is singing. Often the flute brings in the call and the group responds. Note that flute and singing melody will follow the tones of the language (Dagbani). Also the songs may have a specific place within the sequence of drumming rhythms.
    • Bamaya (songs are all sung to the introductory rhythms)
      • Dinvele Nyasa (Bamaya): "Living well is good, but financing it is a problem. It is not easy to come by a good life in society: you must work for it". Dinvela nyasa dahama kani oh, aduniya nima dinvela nyasa dahama kine oh (you need something sweet in life but you don't have money)
      • Paɣaba (Bamaya): "Welcoming and praising beauty of ladies who lead the Bamaya dance." One lady, called Paɣaba, didn't like having to fetch water. One day she went to the dam site to fetch water, and they sang for her when she was coming back home: "Paɣaba Kuchan Kulika Paɣaba Paɣaba Paɣaba Maraba" (She doesn't want to go, welcome Paɣaba!) Note: the flute alone plays the call "Paɣaba Kuchan Kulika"
      • Paɣ ŋulana da danka zrikala ni (Bamaya): "Discourages ladies from being wicked in society." Each wife has a day or week to cook. The wife who doesn't cook for the family is called Ŋulana. The story is that when it's her turn to cook, don't go for the soup because you won't eat well - she won't cook enough soup to match the TZ (grain).
      • Lalalala ashea lalala ka duniya bea (Bamaya): "People will pretend to love you when they don't love you." Many songs are proverbs used to insult each other, or to complain if someone doesn't act generously. But today's world based on religion and faith rejects such songs.
    • Tora (each song goes with a particular rhythmic section)
      • Da dam yoo da dam yoo da dam bemi o yea niŋ sham kabibolo nira beti yea bolomira dab yi kobe la ogbalini (Tora): "how can human being act to have a good impact on society so that people will talk good about you in your lifetime, rather than after you are dead and gone?"
      • Wa lea la wa Leala oye yea wa lea la wa lea la yea (Tora): motivational song, for person named Laila (Leala)
      • Mana wuruku kovi ka to (Tora): proverb, talks about trying to do the right thing before you can make progress: okra soup - you remove okra from farm, dry it, and pound it before you can eat. Note: flute plays "Mana wuruku" and group responds with the rest.
    • More songs (2015; video with drumming, need subtitles)
  • Tora Stories:
    • Chief's wife couldn't become pregnant; chief's friend (nazo) brought her to shrine and she got pregnant. Her friends teased her that the nazo was the father. He ran away over the wall. (Many Tora songs are teases.)

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

Bamaya

Damba

Tora

Takai

Jera

Other resources

Please refer to the following excellent resources as well: