Basic 5 · Creative Arts · Thinking and Exploring Ideas
Performing Artists of Ghana and Africa
In this topic you will explore and study the compositions and performances of Ghanaian and other African performing artists.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Name Ghanaian and African musicians, dancers and dramatists
- Describe their works and styles
- Explain how they promote African culture
What you already know
- Visual artists of Ghana and Africa
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
- B5.2.1.1.2 – Explore and study some compositions and performances of Ghanaian and performing artists living in Africa
Introduction
Highlife, hiplife, Afrobeat, traditional dance and drama all come from Africa's rich performing arts. Many African performers have taken our music and stories to the whole world.
1. Ghanaian Performing Artists
| Artist | Field | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Ephraim Amu | music | patriotic songs such as "Yɛn Ara Asaase Ni"; African choral music |
| Prof. J.H. Kwabena Nketia | music scholar, composer | research on African music; co-founded the Ghana Dance Ensemble |
| Koo Nimo | palm-wine highlife guitar | acoustic Akan folk songs |
| E.T. Mensah | highlife band music | "King of Highlife"; spread highlife across West Africa |
| Efua Sutherland | drama | plays such as "The Marriage of Anansewa"; Ghana Drama Studio |
| Sarkodie | hiplife / rap | rapping in Twi; international awards |
2. Other African Performing Artists
| Artist | Country | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Fela Anikulapo Kuti | Nigeria | creator of Afrobeat; songs about justice |
| Miriam Makeba | South Africa | "Mama Africa"; songs such as "Pata Pata"; fought apartheid through music |
| Youssou N'Dour | Senegal | mbalax music; singer of world fame |
| Wole Soyinka | Nigeria | playwright; first African winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature (1986) |
3. Dance and Drama Groups
The Ghana Dance Ensemble was founded in 1962 at the University of Ghana to preserve and perform traditional dances from all parts of Ghana, such as Adowa, Kpanlogo, Agbadza, Bamaya and Takai. The National Theatre in Accra hosts the National Dance Company, the National Drama Company and the National Symphony Orchestra.
4. What They Teach Us
These artists used their talents to express African identity and to speak about important issues. Fela Kuti criticised corruption. Miriam Makeba sang against apartheid. Ephraim Amu encouraged Ghanaians to be proud of their own music and dress. Their works show that performing arts can entertain, educate and bring change.
New words
- performing arts
- Arts performed for an audience, such as music, dance and drama.
- highlife
- A Ghanaian music style mixing local rhythms with guitars and horns.
- hiplife
- Ghanaian music combining highlife and hip-hop.
- Afrobeat
- A Nigerian music style created by Fela Kuti.
- playwright
- A person who writes plays.
- ensemble
- A group of performers.
Summary
- Ephraim Amu, Koo Nimo, E.T. Mensah and Efua Sutherland are celebrated Ghanaian performers.
- Fela Kuti, Miriam Makeba and Wole Soyinka are famous African artists.
- The Ghana Dance Ensemble preserves traditional dances.
- Performing arts entertain, educate and promote change.
Class activity: Listening Session
- Listen to a highlife song, a traditional song and an Afrobeat song (played by your teacher).
- Note the instruments and rhythm of each.
- Discuss how they are similar and different.
You need: Printed portrait of Chinua Achebe, Physical copy or short printed excerpt of Things Fall Apart, Manila author-profile cards
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Who is called the "King of Highlife"?
- A. E.T. Mensah
- B. Fela Kuti
- C. Miriam Makeba
- D. Sarkodie
Show answer
Answer: E.T. MensahHe spread highlife.2. Afrobeat was created by…
- A. Fela Kuti
- B. Koo Nimo
- C. Ephraim Amu
- D. Efua Sutherland
Show answer
Answer: Fela KutiA Nigerian musician.3. The Ghana Dance Ensemble was founded in…
- A. 1962
- B. 1482
- C. 2010
- D. 1900
Show answer
Answer: 1962At the University of Ghana.4. Efua Sutherland was a Ghanaian playwright.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueShe wrote "The Marriage of Anansewa".5. Miriam Makeba was from Ghana.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseShe was South African.6. Ghanaian music combining highlife and hip-hop is ______.
Show answer
Answer: hiplifee.g. Sarkodie.7. Name two traditional Ghanaian dances.
Show answer
Answer: Adowa and Kpanlogo (or Agbadza, Bamaya, Takai).Any two.8. How did Miriam Makeba use music to bring change?
Show answer
Answer: She sang against apartheid and made the world aware of injustice in South Africa.Music as protest.
Homework
- Interview an adult about their favourite Ghanaian musician and write why they like them.