The much awaited and choreographed cultural dance from the land of South Africa was graced with colorful and exciting performances by the South Africans which prompted many Ghanaians to re-visit their culture once again and re-write certain things which have not be given the needed attention.
Dance is the life of Africans and this permeates all their social and ceremonial activities. To the African, dance is a way of thinking, living and communicating. It is an essential part of all vital facets of the life cycle. We dance during childbirth, naming ceremonies, puberty rites, marriage, religious ceremonies; festivals etc. dance teaches customs and history. Don’t forget, Dr Kwame Nkrumah brought Africans together through dance.
Umoja is a response from one of the welcoming greetings in South Africa which means, ‘the spirit of togetherness’. It was undeniably one of the greatest displays of Arts and Culture ever to have happened to Ghanaians this year. However, I have few unanswerable questions which still linger in my mind as far as the coming of the South African dance group who have performed and toured in several places across the globe is concerned. Umoja talks about the history and story of music and way of life in South Africa from the days of the colonial times till this time where we are used to modern dance and others lifestyles.
I believe before the coming of Umoja, there are obviously lots of Ghanaian cultural dances which have not been given the needed recognition. Dance like Adowa, Kete, Borborbor are very fun and exciting to watch. My problem is how many event organizers have recognized the signicance of these dances and have put up a show like that at the National theatre or even the Conference centre? Charterhouse as an event organizers alongside GTV, (still the station with a nationwide coverage) which a lot of people hate to accept were comfortable in bringing Umoja but couldn’t put a similar show of Ghanaian origin at the National theatre. (Or maybe in future since we have seen Umoja? How sad!)
The late Ghanaba, (may his soul rest in peace), Kakaaku, Agya Koo Nimo and some traditional cultural groups have fizzled out due to the undue treatments and lack of patronage they suffered in the hands of Ghanaians who trooped to the National theatre to witness the display of breasts and cultural display from a different country when Adowa could have simply showed them protruding buttocks of women with beautiful Kente clothes to match. Don’t get me wrong for I am not condemning Umoja but only making a critical evaluation of the Umoja of South Africa and Adowa in Ghana.
The ADOWA dance which is a typical dance by the Akans is one dance that can be likened to the dances which were performed at the Umoja. Like the Umoja dance, Adowa is also used in telling stories of the past and also portraying the rich culture of the Akans. The dance originated through the movements made by the antelope, hence the name given to it. The story behind the dance states that, there was a once a queen mother in Ashanti called Abrewa Tutuwa. She suddenly fell ill in the cause of her reign.
The Obosom (gods) was consulted and a request for a live antelope was to be used for the sacrificial rites. It was alleged that, the asafo companies were promptly detailed to the forest to look for the animal. On coming back, the people saw to their amazement the antelope jumping and making very strange movements. The people in an attempt to imitate the movement of the animal as a sign of celebrating the queen mother’s health started the Adowa dance.
The dance was hence started by the Asafo companies. Since the animal was sacrifice for the queen mother, the musical type soon was taken over by the elderly women making the dance becoming women’s performance in several Akan communities. The few men that are seen basically handle the musical instruments. Adowa in present day content can be located in Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Kwahu, Akim, and some parts of Akim Abuakwa and among the coastal Akans-Fantes where it is known as Adzewa (Adewa)
These dances are mostly accompanied by drums as it was the same case of Umoja. So somebody tell me what the striking difference seems to be here. Was it the songs that were sung, of course Adowa is also has songs in it, doesn’t it? The songs relate to several issues concerning the Akan cultural history. It will amaze you to know that some of these dances have been modified as new dance at the night clubs, pubs and churches. Don’t doubt me!
Songs are also based on topical issues, cultural and social beliefs and practices are all touched in Adowa songs. Adowa songs are usually performed in cantor and chorus form with two or more soloist introducing a song before the chorus comes in so was Umoja. The dance has an economic significance to the people, in that the costumes such as kente are hand woven by the people.
Entertainment in Ghana has gone a long way and I was wondering how many of those Umoja crew was told about the rich dance and culture of Ghana. Maybe when next Umoja comes to your country, you should take time to sit and make collaboration between Umoja and that of your country on one stage and see the difference. There you would create the desired unity between the two.
Umoja is a proud cultural display and representation of life from South Africa, but I humbly ask again, Umoja presented Ghanaians with Breasts, what will Adowa present South Africans and the rest of the world?
Story By Cleff Justice maxwell
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