What is the dance of the Dagaaba?
Bamaaya, meaning, “The river (valley) is wet”, is the most popular social music and dance of the Dagbamba of Northern Ghana. It began as a religious musical performance, but now functions during funerals, festivals, national day celebrations, and other social occasions.
Where did the Dagaaba originate from?
Primarily native to northern Ghana and southern Burkina Faso. The Dagaaba people (singular Dagao, and, in northern dialects, Dagara for both plural and singular) are an ethnic group located north of the convergence of Ghana, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.
What ethnic group is Bawa?
“Kpanlogo Music and Dance” A recently developed West African social dance performed for all occasions by the Ga tribe of the greater Accra region of Ghana. “Bawa Music and Dance” Harvest music performed for all occasions by the Dagarti-speaking people of the upper region of Ghana.
How is Bamaya dance performed?
Bamaya is performed with a chorus song supported with drums and flutes. The sound of the drums and flutes dictate the dance movement. The leader picks and communicates the movement to the rest of the dancers. Whether to dance slowly or swiftly depends on the rhythm of the drums and flutes.
What is Apatampa dance?
Apatampa is a recreational dance for women that is often performed for festivals, puberty rites, and wedding. The group is introduced in Twi before their performance.
What language do Dagaaba people speak?
They speak the Dagaare language, a Gur language made up of the related Northern Dagaare dialects, Southern Dagaare dialects and a number of sub dialects. In northern dialects, both the language and the people are referred to as Dagara. They are related to the Birifor people and the Dagaare Diola.
What is the population of Dagombas in Ghana?
about 931,000
The Dagombas are a Gur ethnic group of northern Ghana, numbering about 931,000 (2012). They inhabit the Northern Region of Ghana in the sparse savanna region below the sahelian belt, known as the Sudan. They speak the Dagbani language which belongs to the Mole-Dagbani sub-group of the Gur languages.
What is the Bamaya dance?
Bamaya Dance ‘Bamaya’ is a Dagbani word which literally means ”the river or valley is wet”. This dance is mostly done by men who are dressed in feminine outfits. The Bamaya ensemble comprises a lead dancer, other dancers and drummers who also double as chorus singers and sing along with the dancers.
Who does the Bamaya dance?
‘Bamaya’ is a Dagbani word which literally means ”the river or valley is wet”. This dance is mostly done by men who are dressed in feminine outfits. The Bamaya ensemble comprises a lead dancer, other dancers and drummers who also double as chorus singers and sing along with the dancers.
How is Apatampa performed?
The dance start with the individual making a beat by hitting both tights with both hands twice and clapping the hands on the third beat. Then after, beats the chest twice to make the fourth and fifth beat. This is being done with a smile and cheerful face while moving.
Who performs the Bamaya dance?
What is Dagara life?
In the Dagara tradition, you own your name up until the age of five. After the age of five, your name owns you. Your name is an energy; your name has a life force. It creates an umbrella under which you live.
Where do the Dagaaba people live in Ghana?
The Dagaaba people with total population of over 2 million people have the larger percentage of its population residing in Ghana. They are found in Upper West Region of Ghana and reside predominantly in Lawra, Nadowli, Jirapa, Nandom, Lambussie, Kaleo, Bole, Birifu, Tugu, Daffiama, Wechiau and Hamile.
What kind of music is the Dagaaba famous for?
The Dagaaba (Dagarti) are famous for steadily gained popularity of the gyil (xylophone) used in playing indigenous and folkloric songs. Although the land inhabited by the Dagarti is far from any major city, musicians have brought the gyil to national and international audiences.
What kind of dance is Jera in Ghana?
Jera was originally a religious music and dance of the Kparibas in Dagbon, performed before and after hunting expeditions. It is now performed by most Dagbamba villages in Northern Ghana on diverse social occasions: festivals, funerals, and for recreation after a hard day’s work. The religious costume is however retained.
What kind of dances are performed at Damba festival?
It is performed on festive occasions such as the annual Damba festival, political rallies, and durbar of chiefs. Danced only by men, Takai movements involve pivot turns, torso swings, and stamping to the rhythm of the Luna and gungon, the only drums that are used in this dance.