African Dance

AFRICAN DANCES
Traditional African Dance Forms. African dances are as varied and changing as the communities that create them. Although many types of African dance incorporate spirited, vigorous movement, there are also others that are more reserved or stylized. African dances vary widely by region and ethnic community. In addition, there are numerous dances within a given community. African communities traditionally use dance for a variety of social purposes. Dances play a role in religious rituals; they mark rites of passage , including initiations to adulthood and weddings; they form a part of communal ceremonies, including harvest celebrations, funerals, and coronations; and they offer entertainment and recreation in the forms of masquerades, acrobatic dances, and social club dances.

Traditionally, dance in Africa occurs collectively in a community setting. It expresses the life of the community more than the mood of an individual or a couple. Dances mark key elements of communal life. For example, dances at agricultural festivals mark the passage of seasons, the successful completion of projects, and the hope for prosperity.

MEN SUON
This type of horn is blown when a chief is coming to sit in state.
INSTRUMENTS USED:
Bell, Ansarawa, Ampa, Apenten, Castanet, Dunno, Bass drum.

KETE
Is a court dance performed to entertain the Ashanti King i.e. Asantehene. The dance, which was originally performer to only royals, is now performed at all social gatherings.
INSTRUMENTS USED:
Bell, Ansarawa, Ampa, Apenten, Kete Kyin (Leading Drum), Castanet, Donno, Bass Kete Drum.

BAMAYA
Bamaya dance of Ghana narrates the legend of a man who was hungry and entered the market dressed as a woman in order to steal a chicken. During the dance men play the role of the women in the market, imitating women's hip movements as women call out. Such stories often lie at the heart of a community's identity.
This dance is found among the Dagombas in Ghana. It is marked with dignity, grace and expensive movements.It was oringally danced by men but currently by both men and women.
INSTRUMENTS USED:
Brekete, or gungoe, lue(donno)

ASAFO
Asafo is a dance peculiar to the Central Region of Ghana. It is found in both the inland and fishing communities of the Central Region. The Asafo is played during special ocassions and when a prominent person in the cummunities dies. aN Example of such person is a king, an opinion leader of the Asafo company. When a member of the community is missing it is also used as a searching song. Finally, it is used to inform the neighbouring community about an existing problem.
INSTRUMENTS USED:
Bell, Asrawa(1st drum), Ampa(2nd drum), Apenten(3rd Drum), Kon-kon(4th drum) Asafo kyen(leading drum)

CHINAZA
It is dance from the northern part of Ghana. It is a war dance named after a village called Chinaza. This dance came about as a result of a land dispute between the people of Chinaza and Mamaya. The Chinaza people overpowered the people of Mamaya and the land eventually became theirs. These two villages later reconcilled.
INSTRUMENTS USED:
Atsimenuhu, Sogo, Kidi, Kganu, Krobodzi, Gankogli, Axatse, Bobo.

KPANLOGO
Kpanlogo is one of the creative contemporary dance of the Ga people in the Greater Accra capital of Ghana.
INSTRUMENTS USED:
Bell, Asarawa, Ampaa, Apenten, Kon-kon, Asafo Kyen

GAHU
It is a popular dance of the Ewes in the Volta Region of Ghana. It is a very colorful dance, which originated from Nigeria. Gahu is a ryhthm kinks and Yoruba Dance rhythm from Nigeria. This delightful dance is very flexible and stylish.
INSTRUMENTS USED:
Atsimenhu, Sogo, Kidi, Kagganu. Krobodzi, Gankoli, Axatse.

Others include;Agbadza, Fontomfrom, Kundum, Adowa, Atsiagbeko, Boboobo, Kpatsa, Kolomashie, Gome, Skyi, TakaiNangila among others.














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