SHS DirectorySHS MatchLesson PlansGES Promotion Past QuestionsStudent Lesson NotesBlogs

Basic 2 · Creative Arts · Displaying and Sharing

Performing Ghanaian Cultures

In this topic you will perform music, dance or drama that shows the culture of another Ghanaian community.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Choose a performance from another community
  • Rehearse with costumes and instruments
  • Perform for an audience

What you already know

  • Composing music and dance

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Performing Arts
Sub-strand
Displaying and Sharing
Indicator
B2.2.3.4.1 – Perform own artworks to reflect the history and culture of people in other communities in Ghana

Introduction

Your group will learn a short Kpanlogo or Borborbor dance and perform it on Culture Day.

1. Preparing a Performance

  1. Choose a dance or song from another community.
  2. Learn its story or meaning.
  3. Practise the steps and rhythm.
  4. Prepare simple costumes and props.
  5. Perform for the audience.
Pupils performing a cultural dance with simple costumes on Culture Day
Figure 1: Culture Day performance Draw your group performing.Illustration: Sirbus

2. Being a Good Performer

  • Know your steps.
  • Watch the leader.
  • Keep to the rhythm.
  • Smile and face the audience.

New words

rehearse
To practise before a performance.
prop
An object used in a performance.
stage
The place for performing.
audience
People who watch.

Summary

  • We perform dances and songs from other communities.
  • We rehearse with costumes, props and instruments.
  • Good performers keep to the rhythm and face the audience.

Class activity: Culture Day Rehearsal

  1. Practise your dance with the drum and shaker.
  2. Use kente or cloth as costumes.
  3. Perform for another group.

You need: Locally made drum, Gourd shaker, Printed photographs of Ghanaian performances

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. To practise before a show is to…

    • A. Rehearse
    • B. Sleep
    • C. Forget
    • D. Eat
    Show answer
    Answer: RehearseRehearsing prepares us.

  2. 2. An object used in a performance is a…

    • A. Prop
    • B. Rest
    • C. Rule
    • D. Label
    Show answer
    Answer: PropProps help tell the story.

  3. 3. Performers should keep to the rhythm.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueRhythm keeps everyone together.

  4. 4. Performers should never look at the audience.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseThey should face the audience.

  5. 5. The place for performing is the ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: stageThat is the stage.

  6. 6. Name a dance from another community you could perform.

    Show answer
    Answer: E.g. Kpanlogo, Borborbor, Bamaya.These are Ghanaian dances.

Homework

  1. Practise your dance steps at home.