Oliver Torgboh

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Name: Oliver Torgboh
Age: 25
Occupation: Student (ICT Program in Kumasi) / teacher (drumming)
Region of Origin: Volta


Oliver and I discussed some topics that would lead to a better understanding of the music played in the village. Oliver talked about the music he listened to as child; it was mostly drums such as the brekete. New drums such as the ajogo (sp), fomefome (sp), and gahon (reformed)(sp), palogo (sp), and pacha (sp) have been introduced in the villages as well. Some of the drums never change so they remain like a universal language. There are more than seven drums in the village’s ensemble. Agbadza music is played in the Volta region. Oliver explains that their traditional music has been passed down through generations and now it is time for their generation to teach the new generations their traditional music. He said that the traditional drums have never changed; he and his mother both perform the same dances as well. The songs have not changed nor have the dances. He says that new music comes into the village from other villages; this brings opportunity for experimentation, improvement and changes in style. And when the drums change, the dances change with them. Interested children can play music and dance from young ages; he started dance at the age of 5. About 75% of the people are familiar with the traditional drums and dancing but to learn from the best you must go to the master drummer to learn. Oliver says that his religion doesn’t influence changes in the drums; the religious music is separate. In my opinion, the music in the shrine was similar to the traditional music we learned about in the village. Oliver discusses how there are songs that have been passed down through generations as well. Each song is appropriate in certain events but not so appropriate after the event. Some of the songs are call and response songs just like the drums. The call and response system is the drummers language that only drummers can understand; the drummers from the same regions can understand each other. The meaning of the drums changes within the regions; Ewe drummers cannot understand Asanti drummers. Oliver believes that the youth have not drifted away from their traditional music as a result of technological changes. The new technology has opened new doors and introduced new music but this music does not replace the traditional music but rather opens up one’s mind to a deeper understanding of different types of music. Oliver’s message to people such as myself and the children of the future is to “learn about anyone’s music is very grateful and good and sometimes it helps you in cooperating with others”. I truly enjoyed this interview; I found it very interesting and educational. I learned a great deal about Ewe music and specially music in the villages and the changes/challenges it has faced.

Interviewed by Roushanak Varnasseri Summer 2009

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