The Adowa dance is the most widespread and most frequently performed social musical type of the Akan speaking people of Ghana.
The Adowa dance is the most widespread and most
frequently performed social musical type of the Akan speaking people of Ghana.
It forms an integral part of all vital facets of the life cycle. We dance
during childbirth, naming ceremonies, pubety rites, marriage, religious
ceremonies, festivals etc. Dance teaches customs and history. Dr Kwame Nkrumah
brought Africans together through dance.
The Adowa dance is the most widespread and most
frequently performed social musical type of the Akan speaking people of Ghana.
The dance originated through the movements made by the antelope, hence the
name given to it.
The story behind the dance states that, there was a once a queen mother in Ashanti
called Abrewa Tutuwa.
She suddenly fell ill in the cause of her reign. The Obosom (gods) was
consulted and a request for a live antelope was to be used for the sacrificial
rites. It was alleged that, the asafo companies were promptly detailed to the
forest to look for the animal. On coming back, the people saw to their
amazement the antelope jumping and making very strange movements.
The Nana Amponsah Cultural Group dancers performing Adowa
dance at the AAI 25th Annual Awards Gala. Photo by: Fran McMullen/Studio38
The people in an attempt to imitate the movement of the animal as a sign of
celebrating the queen mother’s health started the Adowa
dance.
The dance was hence started by the Asafo companies. Since the animal was
sacrifice for the queenmother, the musical type soon was taken over by the
elderly women making the dance becoming women’s performance in several Akan
communities.
The few men that are seen basically handles the musical instruments. Adowa
in present day content can be located in Ashanti,
Brong Ahafo, Kwahu, Akim, and some parts of Akim Abuakwa and among the coastal
Akans-Fantes where it is known as Adzewa (Adewa).
This form is lighter in character as only rattles –torowa and a single drum
usually called apentemma are used. A similar type among the Ashanti’s
called mpreh or atona is also performed.
Adowa is largely performed during funerals, yearly
festivals, durbar of chiefs, visit of international dignitaries etc, and is
usually led by a female known as Adowahemma.
Musical instruments such as Dawuro, Nnawuto, Akuakua, Agyegyewa, Apentemma
and Asafotwene were the first instruments used by the Asafo companies.Atumpan and
Dondo were later added and the smaller drums replaced by the petia and
apentemma.
A standard Adowa ensemble now has Adawura (2 boat or
slit bell), Torowa (rattle), Petia (supporting drum), Apentemma, Dondo and
Atumpan.
Repertoires such as Adowatine, Sesre bedi, Abubru din din etc are played in
any performance in Ashanti.
The songs relate to several issues concerning the Akan cultural history.
Themes such as historical facts which is usually about our past ancestors,
chiefs and elders.
Songs are also based on topical issues, cultural and social beliefs and
practices are all touched in Adowa songs. Adowa
songs are usually performed in cantor and chorus form with two or more soloist introducing
a song before the chorus comes in.
The dance has an economic significance to the people, in that the costumes
such as kente are hand woven by the people. The regalia or ornaments such as
anklets, golden rings and earrings etc are produced by the goldsmith.
The drums and other instruments used are from the woodcarver and the
blacksmith respectively. This keeps the people in of the community in business
and provide livelihood for them.
The culture of the people is also preserved through the dance.
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