Basic 4 · Ghanaian Language · Songs
Songs of Traditional Occupations
In this topic you will sing and discuss songs connected to traditional occupations like farming, fishing and weaving.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Name traditional occupations in Ghana
- Sing songs connected to these occupations
- Explain the importance of occupation songs
What you already know
- Work songs and play songs (Basic 2)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Oral Reading
- Sub-strand
- Songs
- Indicator
- B4.1.1.1.1 – Sing and discuss songs connected to traditional occupations and their importance
Introduction
Farmers sing as they weed, fishermen sing as they pull nets and weavers hum as they work at the loom. Every occupation has its songs.
1. Traditional Occupations
| Occupation | When songs are sung | Purpose of the song |
|---|---|---|
| farming | weeding, harvesting | keep workers moving together |
| fishing | pulling nets, paddling | keep the rhythm of the pull |
| hunting | before and after a hunt | courage and celebration |
| weaving | at the loom | pass time and show pride in the craft |
| pounding fufu | pounding | keep the pestle and hands in time |
2. Importance of Occupation Songs
- They make hard work feel lighter.
- They keep workers moving together.
- They teach the skills and history of the occupation.
- They show pride in our culture.
Tip: Sing occupation songs in your Ghanaian language and explain them in your own words.
New words
- occupation
- The work a person does to earn a living.
- traditional
- Passed down from long ago.
- rhythm
- The steady pattern of beats.
- loom
- A frame for weaving cloth.
- weeding
- Removing unwanted plants from a farm.
- craft
- A skill of making things by hand.
Summary
- Farming, fishing, hunting and weaving are traditional occupations.
- Each occupation has songs sung during work.
- Occupation songs make work easier and keep workers together.
- They preserve our culture and history.
Class activity: Occupation Song Show
- Choose an occupation.
- Sing its song in your Ghanaian language with actions.
- Explain the song's importance to the class.
You need: Locally made song or poem cards, Local drum, Gourd shaker
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which is a traditional occupation?
- A. Fishing
- B. Computer coding
- C. Flying planes
- D. Banking
Show answer
Answer: FishingFishing is traditional.2. Why do fishermen sing while pulling nets?
- A. To pull together in rhythm
- B. To scare fish
- C. To sleep
- D. To eat
Show answer
Answer: To pull together in rhythmSinging keeps time.3. A frame for weaving cloth is a…
- A. Loom
- B. Hoe
- C. Net
- D. Drum
Show answer
Answer: LoomWeavers use looms.4. Occupation songs make work feel lighter.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueSinging eases hard work.5. Occupation songs have no connection to culture.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseThey preserve culture.6. The work a person does to earn a living is their ______.
Show answer
Answer: occupationThat is an occupation.7. Name two traditional occupations and when songs are sung in each.
Show answer
Answer: E.g. farming – weeding; fishing – pulling nets.Each has songs.8. How do occupation songs teach young people?
Show answer
Answer: They describe the work, its skills and its history in a memorable way.Songs pass on knowledge.
Homework
- Ask an elder to teach you a song from a traditional occupation.