Daniel Afotey

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Name: Daniel Afotey
Age: 14 years old
Gender: Male
Education: Form 2



Daniel was born in Ashiama, about 2 hours away from the village. He moved to Dagabamete when he was about 11 years old. His name is from a family of le Otu. His mother’s name is Maggie and she also lives in the village, but his father is a driver and lives in Ashiama. They live in the village and go to school. No one in Daniel’s family played any musical instruments and he was not taught music at home when he was young. Daniel learnt music in school, and he says that every Friday he had a music class from 9:00-10:30 p.m. Daniel says that all the children gathered to learn music together, and they had a female teacher for music. Daniel speaks Ewe and English, and says that he was taught Ewe songs in school like Bobobo. The instruments that they played in their music class were gangkogue, kedenu, and hartey. His favourite instruments is kedenu. Daniel said that some girls sometimes played drums in their class but mostly the girls sang. Daniel said that he has only seen two women play the drum in the village and one at the shrine. He said that it surprised him, but he liked it as well. However when he was asked if the girls in his class like to play the drums he refused and said that they just sing and dance. He also added that boys are better at drums than girls because girls do not know how to play it, and explained that it is because they were not taught at home.
Daniel plays with the Bobobo drumming group in the village. He said that the group is made up of about 25 people, amongst whom the youngest is 11 years old and the eldest is 21 years. Daniel said that the group has performed five times for the village since he has joined. He has performed at the birthday celebration for example. However, no girls in the group are allowed to drum and they can only sing and dance. He also listed other drumming groups in the village. such as Kpoka, Atigo and braketey.
When asked if he has viewed new songs, dances or costumes at the shrine, Daniel answered that everyone has to wear a cloth on the waist and it is a taboo if you do not. He said that it was something recent and that the chief told the villagers that they had to wear the cloth. When asked about music at funerals, Daniel says he does not like to go because he does not want to see the dead bodies. Daniel’s favorite music is gospel music and he mostly hears it on the radio and on the TV. He has a TV in his house, and he watches a gospel program every Saturday night. His favorite song is called “Oh arawde” and its sung by a male singer. Daniel’s dream job is to be pilot.

Interviewed by Hannah Searson in July 2008

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