Basic 4 · Creative Arts · Thinking and Exploring Ideas
Ghanaian Dancers and Dramatists
In this topic you will study Ghanaian performing artists in dance and drama.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Name Ghanaian dance groups and choreographers
- Name Ghanaian dramatists and their plays
- Explain how dance and drama reflect Ghanaian life
What you already know
- Ghanaian musicians and their music
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Performing Arts
- Sub-strand
- Thinking and Exploring Ideas
- Indicator
- B4.2.1.1.1 – Study the performing artworks created by some Ghanaian performing artists
Introduction
The Ghana Dance Ensemble performs dances from all over Ghana. Playwrights like Efua Sutherland wrote plays using Ghanaian stories. Let us study their work.
1. Dance
| Artist or group | Known for |
|---|---|
| Ghana Dance Ensemble | founded in 1962 at the University of Ghana; performs traditional dances from across Ghana |
| Prof. J. H. Kwabena Nketia | music scholar who helped found the Ensemble |
| Prof. Albert Mawere Opoku | choreographer who helped found the Ensemble |
| National Dance Company | performs at national events and the National Theatre |
2. Drama
| Dramatist | Known for |
|---|---|
| Efua Sutherland | playwright; wrote "The Marriage of Anansewa"; founded the Ghana Drama Studio |
| Ama Ata Aidoo | playwright and writer; wrote "The Dilemma of a Ghost" |
| Concert parties | travelling groups that mixed comedy, music and drama |
3. Dance and Drama Reflect Ghanaian Life
- Dances show celebrations, work, war and worship.
- Plays use Ananse stories, proverbs and real-life problems.
- They teach lessons and entertain.
New words
- choreographer
- A person who creates dances.
- dramatist
- A person who writes plays.
- playwright
- A writer of plays.
- ensemble
- A group that performs together.
- concert party
- A Ghanaian travelling theatre with comedy and music.
- theatre
- A place where plays are performed.
Summary
- The Ghana Dance Ensemble was founded in 1962.
- Efua Sutherland and Ama Ata Aidoo were Ghanaian playwrights.
- Concert parties mixed comedy, music and drama.
- Dance and drama reflect and teach about Ghanaian life.
Class activity: Mini Drama
- Choose a short Ananse story.
- Plan a three-scene drama with dance.
- Perform for the class.
You need: Locally made drum, Gourd shaker, Printed photographs of Ghanaian, African performances
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. A person who creates dances is a…
- A. Choreographer
- B. Playwright
- C. Painter
- D. Potter
Show answer
Answer: ChoreographerThat is a choreographer.2. Who wrote "The Marriage of Anansewa"?
- A. Efua Sutherland
- B. Ama Ata Aidoo
- C. E. T. Mensah
- D. Kojo Antwi
Show answer
Answer: Efua SutherlandShe was a playwright.3. When was the Ghana Dance Ensemble founded?
- A. 1962
- B. 1957
- C. 1482
- D. 2000
Show answer
Answer: 1962At the University of Ghana.4. Concert parties mixed comedy and music.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueThey were travelling shows.5. Ama Ata Aidoo was a famous footballer.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseShe was a writer and playwright.6. A writer of plays is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: playwrightThat is a playwright.7. Name one Ghanaian dramatist and one of their plays.
Show answer
Answer: E.g. Ama Ata Aidoo – The Dilemma of a Ghost.Any correct pair.8. Why do Ghanaian plays often use Ananse stories?
Show answer
Answer: They are well known, entertaining and carry moral lessons.Folktales teach values.
Homework
- Watch a Ghanaian drama or dance on TV and describe it.