Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents my theory on the Ghanaian (West Africa) source of two elements of New Orleans, Louisiana second line parades: holding & twirling parasols and waving white handkerchiefs.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, historical, and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in the videos that are embedded in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of those videos on YouTube.
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COMMON STATEMENTS ABOUT WHY SECOND LINERS TWIRL PARASOLS AND WAVE WHITE HANDKERSHIEFS
"It's Hot Outside" theories
(italics added to highlight a sentence)
http://blog.juliahohne.com/2012/09/06/pick-your-parasol/ Julia, September 6, 2012
"Parasols and umbrellas are as important to a New Orleans wedding as red beans & rice are to Monday. But why? Where did the tradition come from? And what is that second line handkerchief all about? Heck, what’s a second line? I know many of you already know the answers, but for all of you destination brides and your confused family members, I thought a little explaining was in order.
The second line tradition is one of my favorite ‘only in New Orleans’ wedding traditions. After the ceremony a brass band plays celebratory music as the couple, holding his and hers parasols, dance behind. This is called the ‘first line’. All of their wedding guests, (and often times random people in the French Quarter) are invited to dance behind, waving white handkerchiefs in the air, to celebrate the newlyweds. The band leads the entire wedding ensemble to the reception venue. Think of it as your own little personal parade. I mean, what bride doesn’t want that?
The tradition is based on the famous New Orleans jazz funerals, where the band would play somber, slow music to honor the life of the deceased person. A second line of family and friends would form behind twirling umbrellas and parasols (it is New Orleans after all, and HOT practically all the time!). Those who didn’t have a parasol would retrieve a white handkerchief from the breast pocket of a nearby gentleman and twirl it above their head to join the parade.
So next time you go to a New Orleans wedding, and are handed a handkerchief at the ceremony, you’ll know it’s not to dab your tears or blow your nose but to celebrate the couple in a parade afterwards!"
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From https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070728091424AAo1lxn onetwobucklemyfoo, July 24, 2007
"Reason for white handkerchiefs in New Orleans style wedding?
I have a friend who is getting married and is thinking of doing New Orleans style wedding, but she is curious of why they wave white handkerchiefs after the wedding. Does anyone know?
That is part of a uniquely New Orleans tradition of second-lining! It started back in the mid-late 1800s when a band would march and play behind a casket for a funeral procession. They were known as the first line. The people who would join in behind the band, marching and singing and dancing, were known as the second-line. Because New Orleans is SO hot and humid for much of the year, when these processions would take place, people would carry umbrellas to help keep the sun off their heads--that's still done today in New Orleans--people carry open umbrellas when the sun is out! Also, they would carry handkerchiefs to wipe their faces and dry them by waving them in the air. Second lining is done quite frequently at celebrations like weddings and festivals in New Orleans.
Source(s): I'm a New Orleans tourguide"
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MY THEORY ABOUT THE SOURCE AND MEANINGS OF THE NEW ORLEANS' CUSTOMS OF WAVING HANDKERCHIEFS AND TWIRLING PARASOLS
Waving White Handkerchiefs
I believe that the custom of waving white handkerchiefs in New Orleans, Louisiana or elsewhere in the United States while marching in second line parades have their sources in the traditional customs of waving or dancing with white handkerchiefs in the Ewe cultures of Ghana, West Africa and Togo, West Africa, as well as the Igbo culture of Nigeria, West Africa.
Coincidentally, the "it's hot outside" response was also given in response to a commenter asking why Africans wave white handkerchiefs in church:
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bho1JbB1gTA Atta Boafo - Double Double (Blessings)
callmeblessings, 2012
in reply to sisteryaime
@sisteryaime lol it doesn't really have a meaning as far as I know. Its just people in africa have these little scarves or cloth because of the heat. For some reason they started using it in church as an extra to praise God. It looks nice too when the whole church does it I think lol."
-snip-
That comment is included in the first post of a four part series on traditional customs of waving or dancing with white handkerchiefs in certain West African cultures. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/information-about-dancing-and-waving.html for Part I of a four part series. The links to the other posts in that series can be found in that post.
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Twirling Parasols (Umbrellas)
I believe that the custom of people holding parasols and twirling parasols in first line and second line New Orleans parades have their source in traditional Ashanti (Ghanaian) traditions. In Ghana (and in Egypt and some other African nations) umbrellas were used and are still used to protect royalty from the heat. But I wonder if twirling those umbrellas had (has) a spiritual meaning, similar to the Islamic custom of whirling dervishes or the Buddhist custom of spinning a prayer wheel. Even if there was (and is?) a religious element to the large twirling Ghanaian umbrellas, my guess is that this custom also has an aesthetic element- those twirling umbrellas look good.
I'm also not denying that the white handkerchiefs that are twirled by Ghanaian church goers might sometimes be used to wipe off their sweat. But white handkerchiefs are twirled as a way of expressing spiritual joy. And one comment that I found online indicates that the traditional Igbo dances which include twirling white handkerchiefs had a spiritual meaning:
From https://books.google.com/books?id=8bswAQAAIAAJ
Groundwork of Igbo history - Page 754
Adiele Eberechukwu Afigbo - 1992
"Because the Ogbaru people associated the white colour with deities, the dance was first performed with costumes made of white cloth under the priestess, the dance had a religious character... However, white handkerchief was introduced to accentuate the white symbolism."
-snip-
It should be noted that in the above mentioned West African traditions and in the New Orleans second line traditions that derive from those African traditions, the handkerchief color is "white", though other colors might be used nowadays.
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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
Videos Of Men Holding & Twirling Umbrellas (Ashanti Culture, Ghana)
Example #1: New Video of Ashanti Historic Festival in Koforidua, New Juaben, Ghana, Africa, World
Hunter Gatherer, Published on Apr 4, 2013
Akwantukese Festival of the good people of New Juaben, Koforidua. Depicted are twirling umbrellas, the Ruler of New Juaben, Nana Oti Boateng II borne aloft in a palanquin.
-snip-
Women dancing with white handkerchiefs can be found throughout this video. There is also a brief clip of the Ruler of New Juaben waving a white handkerchief (around 2:50 in this video). New Juaben is a constituency in the Eastern region of Ghana.
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Example #2: Akwasidae Festival, ashanti region, kumasi, ghana
voodooalpaca Uploaded on Aug 27, 2010
Akwasidae Festival, ashanti region, kumasi, ghana
celebrate with the king!...
-snip-
Also, notice the scenes of shields being spun, beginning around 3:58 in this video.
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Example #3: ASHANTI FESTIVAL IN KUMASI,GHANA, 1995. ARRIVAL OF THE JUABENS
Hunter Gatherer Uploaded on Aug 30, 2010
The durbar held by the late King of Ashanti, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, to commemorate his 25th year on the Golden Stool. Shown here is the arrival of the King of Juaben and his people--the Juabens.
-snip-
Update: December 4, 2015
I think that in African context, a durbar is a festival held to honor royalty.
As somewhat of an aside, notice the large fans that two women hold at around 6:00 of the video. Those fans are similar to fans held by some members of (African American (New Orleans, Louisiana) Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs when they strut during Mardi Gras and other parades. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/new-orleans-buck-jumping-information.html for a pancocojams post that features several videos of New Orleans Social Aid And Pleasure Clubs.
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Example #4: 15th ANNIVERSARY OF OTUMFUO OSEI TUTU II
Nana Wiafe Akenten II, Published on Jun 9, 2014
15th ANNIVERSARY OF OTUMFUO OSEI TUTU II
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Videos Of New Orleans Second Line Weddings
Example #1: Bella & Brian New Orleans Wedding: Second Line Parade
brellafarrelly, Uploaded on Mar 29, 2009
Footage of the second line parade from our wedding. Music courtesy of the amazing New Orleans Potholes.
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Example #2: Courtney & Troy's Wedding Second Line part 1
Nola1176 Uploaded on Sep 26, 2009
Courtney and Troy's Second Line
Guardians of the Flame and To Be Continued Second Line Band***
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Example #3: Jackson 2nd line wedding reception
babyboy478, Uploaded on Jan 16, 2012
We couldn't have the wedding at home in New Orleans so we brought home to Texas... :~)
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Example #4: Rare Wedding Parade on Decatur Street in the French Quarter New Orleans
tazjazzman, Published on May 11, 2014
Saturday afternoon May 10th a rare wedding parade occurred on Decatur street in the French Quarter of New Orleans Louisiana. The parade had the bride and groom holding umbrellas, followed by a six piece traditional jazz band dressed in white, then followed by the wedding party waiving white handkerchiefs with some wearing Mardi Gras masks. Many onlookers enjoyed the parade, taking pictures and waving and even a few joining it. The wedding parade was video taped outside of the Gazebo Cafe and ended at Jackson square. The chess master who gives lessons on the game of chess you see in the video said that he has not seen a wedding going down Decatur Street for at least 5 years.
-snip-
Here's a comment from that video's discussion thread
Casey Jarvis, 2014
"I"m the bride in this video. Thank you so much for posting this! I want to give a shout out to Free Agents Brass Band who did an incredible job."
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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label waving and dancing with white handkerchiefs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label waving and dancing with white handkerchiefs. Show all posts
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Nigerian Culture: Igbo Women Dancing With White Handkerchiefs
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post is Part IV of a four part pancocojams series on Ghanaian, Togolese, and Nigerian customs of waving or twirling white handkerchiefs while dancing or while worshipping in church.
Part IV of this series showcases five videos of the custom of dancing with white handkerchief customs among the Igbo people of Nigeria, West Africa and among the Igbo people living outside of Nigeria.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/information-about-dancing-and-waving.html for Part I of this series. Part I presents information about traditional customs of waving and/or dancing with white handkerchiefs in certain West African cultures and also presents theories about the purposes of those customs in those cultures.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/dancing-holding-white-handkerchiefs-in.htmlfor Part II of this series. Part II showcases videos of the Borborbor (Akpesse) dances of the Ewe people of Ghana, West Africa and of Togo, West Africa. Women traditionally perform those dances holding white handkerchiefs in both hands.
That post also provides videos of church some people in Ghana waving white handkerchiefs during church services.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/ghanaian-culture-waving-white.html for Part III of this series. Part III showcases the custom of waving white handkerchiefs in some Ghanaian churches.
****
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in the videos that are embedded in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of those videos on YouTube.
****
I believe that the customs of waving white handkerchiefs in New Orleans, Louisiana or elsewhere in the United States while marching in second line parades have their sources in the traditional customs of waving or dancing with white handkerchiefs in the Ewe cultures of Ghana, West Africa and Togo, West Africa, and the Igbo culture of Nigeria, West Africa.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/probable-ghanaian-sources-for-new.html for a pancocojams post about those customs that associated with New Orleans second line parades.
****
QUOTES ABOUT IGBO WOMEN DANCING WAVING WHITE HANDKERCHIEFS
Google books
African American Sacred Music: An Afrocentric Historical Narrative by C. Wilbert McCabe, 2008, p. 71-72
"In tems of Abigbo music and dance, it consists of “free medley dance” in which everyone present is free to participate. “Although dancers may be individualistic in their choreographic elaboration on a given dance theme and motif, certain characteristics movements recur, including supple hip/waist movements, alternate stepping forward and backwards, and shaking of the body, sometimes with waving of handkerchiefs. (Onyeji, 2004, p. 57). This is another example of an intensely spiritual and sacred experience for the Umuhu, Lagwa, and Ibeku communities as well as the Mbaise people in the Imo State of Iboland and many other African countries.”
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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
These examples are given in chronological order according to their publishing dates on YouTube with the oldest dated example given first.
Example #1: IGBO WOMEN CULTURAL DANCE ,MUNICH GERMANY ( OTU IHUNANYA GROUP ) FIXED IN BY SAMPLE NWANYI,PART FOUR
MAMA B FROM PORTHACOURT NIGERIA, Uploaded on Jan 30, 2009
WE LOVE TO ENTERTAIN THE WORLD
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Example #2: Amumara Women In Dallas, Texas [Nigerian Igbo descent in the USA]
Diesel24t, Uploaded on Jun 1, 2010
Amumara women at Amumara Development Union Americas Convention in Dallas, Texas
-snip-
"Amumara" is a community in Mbaise. Mbaise is a local Government Area in Imo State, Nigeria. Read the note below the video given as Example #3 for more information on Mbaise.
Here's more information about Amumara from http://newtelegraphonline.com/lets-build-the-apostolic-church-amumara/
"Amumara is the epicenter or the administrative headquarters of The Apostolic Church, Nigeria, Igboland territory, comprising eight states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where faithful converge twice annually for the Area and Territorial conventions.
Secondly, Amumara is the home of the only Theological Seminary The Apostolic Church Igboland has, where pastors and leaders are trained. The degree awarding institution established almost 40yrs ago, is accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC)and affiliated to the University of Uyo."
-snip-
Notice the Nigerian (and some other African nations) custom of spraying dancers with cash money. Also notice that one of the dancers twirls a brown handkerchief instead of a white one. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/09/pinning-birthday-dollars.html for one of several pancocojams posts on spraying money.
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Example #3: Mbaise Association of Maryland, 2011 Event
Diesel24t, Uploaded on Sep 18, 2011
Mbaise Women dance, Best Western Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland
Date: Sunday, September 18, 2011
-snip-
Here's some information bout Mbaise from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbaise
"Mbaise is a region and a people located in Imo State, southeastern Nigeria. Set in the heart of Igboland, it includes several towns and cities. The name "Mbaise" was derived from five cities: Agbaja, Ahiara, Ekwereazu, Ezi na Ihite and Oke Uvuru.... The Mbaise Slogan is Seat of Sages.
The people are Igbo. About 90% Catholics, while Protestants and other religions comprise the remaining amount."...
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Example #4: IGBO DAY 2011 - women's cultural dance
ICAC youtube channel,Uploaded on Sep 28, 2011
IGBO DAY 2011 - women's cultural dance
A traditional dance performance of the Igbo women.
Music
"Mgbogho" by Cultural Music Masters
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Example #5: URUAGU NNEWI WOMEN - Cultural Dance [Nigerian Igbos]
IGBO NATION Tv, Published on Oct 23, 2014
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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post is Part IV of a four part pancocojams series on Ghanaian, Togolese, and Nigerian customs of waving or twirling white handkerchiefs while dancing or while worshipping in church.
Part IV of this series showcases five videos of the custom of dancing with white handkerchief customs among the Igbo people of Nigeria, West Africa and among the Igbo people living outside of Nigeria.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/information-about-dancing-and-waving.html for Part I of this series. Part I presents information about traditional customs of waving and/or dancing with white handkerchiefs in certain West African cultures and also presents theories about the purposes of those customs in those cultures.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/dancing-holding-white-handkerchiefs-in.htmlfor Part II of this series. Part II showcases videos of the Borborbor (Akpesse) dances of the Ewe people of Ghana, West Africa and of Togo, West Africa. Women traditionally perform those dances holding white handkerchiefs in both hands.
That post also provides videos of church some people in Ghana waving white handkerchiefs during church services.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/ghanaian-culture-waving-white.html for Part III of this series. Part III showcases the custom of waving white handkerchiefs in some Ghanaian churches.
****
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in the videos that are embedded in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of those videos on YouTube.
****
I believe that the customs of waving white handkerchiefs in New Orleans, Louisiana or elsewhere in the United States while marching in second line parades have their sources in the traditional customs of waving or dancing with white handkerchiefs in the Ewe cultures of Ghana, West Africa and Togo, West Africa, and the Igbo culture of Nigeria, West Africa.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/probable-ghanaian-sources-for-new.html for a pancocojams post about those customs that associated with New Orleans second line parades.
****
QUOTES ABOUT IGBO WOMEN DANCING WAVING WHITE HANDKERCHIEFS
Google books
African American Sacred Music: An Afrocentric Historical Narrative by C. Wilbert McCabe, 2008, p. 71-72
"In tems of Abigbo music and dance, it consists of “free medley dance” in which everyone present is free to participate. “Although dancers may be individualistic in their choreographic elaboration on a given dance theme and motif, certain characteristics movements recur, including supple hip/waist movements, alternate stepping forward and backwards, and shaking of the body, sometimes with waving of handkerchiefs. (Onyeji, 2004, p. 57). This is another example of an intensely spiritual and sacred experience for the Umuhu, Lagwa, and Ibeku communities as well as the Mbaise people in the Imo State of Iboland and many other African countries.”
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
These examples are given in chronological order according to their publishing dates on YouTube with the oldest dated example given first.
Example #1: IGBO WOMEN CULTURAL DANCE ,MUNICH GERMANY ( OTU IHUNANYA GROUP ) FIXED IN BY SAMPLE NWANYI,PART FOUR
MAMA B FROM PORTHACOURT NIGERIA, Uploaded on Jan 30, 2009
WE LOVE TO ENTERTAIN THE WORLD
****
Example #2: Amumara Women In Dallas, Texas [Nigerian Igbo descent in the USA]
Diesel24t, Uploaded on Jun 1, 2010
Amumara women at Amumara Development Union Americas Convention in Dallas, Texas
-snip-
"Amumara" is a community in Mbaise. Mbaise is a local Government Area in Imo State, Nigeria. Read the note below the video given as Example #3 for more information on Mbaise.
Here's more information about Amumara from http://newtelegraphonline.com/lets-build-the-apostolic-church-amumara/
"Amumara is the epicenter or the administrative headquarters of The Apostolic Church, Nigeria, Igboland territory, comprising eight states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where faithful converge twice annually for the Area and Territorial conventions.
Secondly, Amumara is the home of the only Theological Seminary The Apostolic Church Igboland has, where pastors and leaders are trained. The degree awarding institution established almost 40yrs ago, is accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC)and affiliated to the University of Uyo."
-snip-
Notice the Nigerian (and some other African nations) custom of spraying dancers with cash money. Also notice that one of the dancers twirls a brown handkerchief instead of a white one. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/09/pinning-birthday-dollars.html for one of several pancocojams posts on spraying money.
****
Example #3: Mbaise Association of Maryland, 2011 Event
Diesel24t, Uploaded on Sep 18, 2011
Mbaise Women dance, Best Western Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland
Date: Sunday, September 18, 2011
-snip-
Here's some information bout Mbaise from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbaise
"Mbaise is a region and a people located in Imo State, southeastern Nigeria. Set in the heart of Igboland, it includes several towns and cities. The name "Mbaise" was derived from five cities: Agbaja, Ahiara, Ekwereazu, Ezi na Ihite and Oke Uvuru.... The Mbaise Slogan is Seat of Sages.
The people are Igbo. About 90% Catholics, while Protestants and other religions comprise the remaining amount."...
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Example #4: IGBO DAY 2011 - women's cultural dance
ICAC youtube channel,Uploaded on Sep 28, 2011
IGBO DAY 2011 - women's cultural dance
A traditional dance performance of the Igbo women.
Music
"Mgbogho" by Cultural Music Masters
****
Example #5: URUAGU NNEWI WOMEN - Cultural Dance [Nigerian Igbos]
IGBO NATION Tv, Published on Oct 23, 2014
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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Ghanaian Culture: Waving White Handkerchiefs As Part of Ghanaian Church Services
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post is Part III of a four part pancocojams series on Ghanaian, Togolese, and Nigerian customs of waving or twirling white handkerchiefs while dancing or while worshipping in church.
Part III of this series presents five videos that showcase the custom of waving white handkerchiefs in some Ghanaian churches.
Update: December 3, 2015: A video of people waving white handkerchiefs during a traditional festival in Ghana is included in the Addendum to this video.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/information-about-dancing-and-waving.html for Part I of this series. Part I presents information about traditional customs of waving and/or dancing with white handkerchiefs in certain West African cultures and also presents theories about the purposes of those customs in those cultures.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/dancing-holding-white-handkerchiefs-in.html for Part II of this series. Part II showcases videos of the Borborbor (Akpesse) dances of the Ewe people of Ghana, West Africa and of Togo, West Africa. Women traditionally perform those dances holding white handkerchiefs in both hands.
That post also provides videos of church some people in Ghana waving white handkerchiefs during church services.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/nigerian-culture-igbo-women-dancing.html for Part IV of this series. Part IV of this series showcases videos of the custom of dancing with white handkerchief customs among the Igbo people of Nigeria, West Africa and among the Igbo people living outside of Nigeria.
****
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in the videos that are embedded in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of those videos on YouTube.
****
I believe that the customs of waving white handkerchiefs in New Orleans, Louisiana or elsewhere in the United States while marching in second line parades have their sources in the traditional customs of waving or dancing with white handkerchiefs in the Ewe cultures of Ghana, West Africa and Togo, West Africa, and the Igbo culture of Nigeria, West Africa.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/probable-ghanaian-sources-for-new.html for a pancocojams post about those customs that associated with New Orleans second line parades.
****
QUOTES ABOUT GHANAIANS WAVING WHITE HANDKERCHIEFS IN CHURCH
Google books
Word Made Global: Stories of African Christianity in New York City by Mark R. Gornik, Andrew Walls, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, Jul 22, 2011 - p. 89
"Solemnly and slowly the leaders and choir of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Harlem [New York City] process down the aisle. First in line is the Church Choir, dressed in its pressed black and white uniforms, followed by Rev. Asiedu, and a presiding elder. After a selection of hymns and liturgical prayers in Twi from the Presbyterian Church of Ghana – from hymnals the members brought with them-the service dramatically shifts gears. The Church band has the congregation out of its pews and in the aisles dancing, marching, and waving white handkerchiefs to the High-life infected rhythms and choruses of Ghanaian Gospel music with its propelling baselines, multiple drums and percussion sounds, and cool saxophone notes.”.
-snip-
Italics were added to highlight this sentence.
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From http://cny.org/stories/Ghanaians-Are-Welcomed-Home-in-the-Bronx,12917 Ghanaians Are Welcomed Home in the Bronx by RON LAJOIE, 8/5/15
"Members of the Ghanaian Catholic community, in colorful national dress, joyfully participate in a festive Mass Aug. 2 as new members of St. Luke’s parish in the Bronx....
Even before the 4 p.m. Mass started, Ghanaians in colorful national dress lined up to register at folding tables set up outside the little stone church on 138th Street in the Bronx, giving the scene almost the aura of a political rally. Their fellow parishioners, mostly Puerto Rican and other Hispanics with a sprinkling of old guard Irish, dressed in blue St. Luke’s T-shirts, were there to greet them and welcome them to their new spiritual home. This parish had been earmarked for merger with nearby St. Jerome’s parish as part of the Making All Things New initiative. It was the influx of the Ghanaian community, some 900 strong, which allowed St. Luke’s to remain as a stand-alone parish.
...Previously the Ghanaians had shuttled from one Bronx parish to another. On this day they were welcomed with open arms. As the priests processed up the center aisle to the altar both new and old St. Luke’s members greeted them waving white handkerchiefs, a Ghanaian custom.".
-snip-
Italics were added to highlight this sentence.
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From https://www.modernghana.com/news/111487/1/abrokyir-nkomo-joe-spiritual.html ABROKYIR NKOMO: "Joe Spiritual" by Rodney Nkrumah-BoatengNovember 2002
"If there is one unshakeable tenet your average Ghanaian clings to, it is his faith in a supreme being. Call him Allah, God, Nyame, or Tigari- the Ghanaian believes in his divinity, his omnipresence and indeed, his omnipotence. He may not even be a strict practitioner of his faith, but belief in the divine is non-negotiable. No room for doubts. [The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God-Psalm 54:1]
The raffia-skirted, cowrie-casting Okomfo is never short of customers bearing schnapps and spotless white chickens (for consumption by nananom), even if some of these customers double as churchgoers. Most traditional Ga households in Osu and Labadi come with the standard accessory- a shrine for traditional worship. Go to the mosque on a Friday afternoon and you will see, at the entrance, a huge collection of shoes and sandals to rival the GIHOC shoe factory production line of yesteryear. Ramaddan is just starting back home, and it is a serious, kola-chewing, dawn feasting affair for the Moslem community, in their flowing gowns and caps. On Sundays, the churches are full and bursting at the seams, with prophecies and the speaking in tongues in abundant flow.
There is always a crusade or convention in town. Throughout the land, the faithful lift their voices up into heaven in praise of the Lord, as they sing and dance in the aisles, thumping drums, clanging tambourines, clapping and waving their white hankies in His praise. [Make a joyful noise unto the Lord…-Psalm 100]."
-snip-
I've re-formatted this quote to enhance its readability. Italics were added to highlight this sentence.
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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
These examples are given in chronological order according to their publishing dates on YouTube with the oldest dated example given first.
Note: YouTube videos of Ghanaian church services document that not all Ghanaian church services include congregations worshipping waving white handkerchiefs. The following three examples are just a few of the YouTube videos that do include that custom.
Example #1: 2009 Watch Night Service@ Ghanaian Presbyterian Church-Toronto [Canada]
kwabena asare Uploaded on Feb 18, 2010
2009 joint church servie organized by Ghanaian Presbyterian Church, Calvary Methodist Church, and Ghana Methodist Church. All in Toronto [Canada]
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Example #2: Atta Boafo - Double Double (Blessings)[Ghana]
Atta Boafo, Uploaded on Dec 2, 2010
-snip-
Men and women in church joyfully waving white handkerchiefs in the beginning of the video.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/two-versions-of-african-gospel-song.html for a pancocojams post about this song.
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Example #3: Ghana calvary Methodist Church, Easter Sunday 2011 [United States]
Daniel Yeboah, Uploaded on Apr 24, 2011
Appreciating the resurrection power of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Example #4: Ghana Church Service [Ghana]
John Walton Published on Jun 26, 2014
Here's a short (less than 2 min.) video that I shot at a church service in Ghana. This worship & praise time went on for, probably a half hour, at least. ..
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Example #5: PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GHANA ,RAMSEYER PRESBY CHURCH SERVICE PRAISE AND WORSHIP [Ghana]
ramseyerpresby church, Published on Sep 28, 2014
RAMSEYERict TEAM
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ADDENDUM
New Video of Ashanti Historic Festival in Koforidua, New Juaben, Ghana, Africa, World
Hunter Gatherer Published on Apr 4, 2013
Akwantukese Festival of the good people of New Juaben, Koforidua. Depicted are twirling umbrellas, the Ruler of New Juaben, Nana Oti Boateng II borne aloft in a palanquin.
-snip-
Women dancing with white handkerchiefs can be found throughout this video. There is also a brief clip of the Ruler of New Juaben waving a white handkerchief (around 2:50 in this video). New Juaben is a constituency in the Eastern region of Ghana.
-snip-
Note that the videos in the other posts in this series are of Ewe people and not of Ashanti people. Yet, it seems from these videos that both of these ethnic groups have a tradition of waving white handkerchiefs. And that tradition was adapted to waving white handkerchiefs in church.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post is Part III of a four part pancocojams series on Ghanaian, Togolese, and Nigerian customs of waving or twirling white handkerchiefs while dancing or while worshipping in church.
Part III of this series presents five videos that showcase the custom of waving white handkerchiefs in some Ghanaian churches.
Update: December 3, 2015: A video of people waving white handkerchiefs during a traditional festival in Ghana is included in the Addendum to this video.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/information-about-dancing-and-waving.html for Part I of this series. Part I presents information about traditional customs of waving and/or dancing with white handkerchiefs in certain West African cultures and also presents theories about the purposes of those customs in those cultures.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/dancing-holding-white-handkerchiefs-in.html for Part II of this series. Part II showcases videos of the Borborbor (Akpesse) dances of the Ewe people of Ghana, West Africa and of Togo, West Africa. Women traditionally perform those dances holding white handkerchiefs in both hands.
That post also provides videos of church some people in Ghana waving white handkerchiefs during church services.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/nigerian-culture-igbo-women-dancing.html for Part IV of this series. Part IV of this series showcases videos of the custom of dancing with white handkerchief customs among the Igbo people of Nigeria, West Africa and among the Igbo people living outside of Nigeria.
****
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in the videos that are embedded in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of those videos on YouTube.
****
I believe that the customs of waving white handkerchiefs in New Orleans, Louisiana or elsewhere in the United States while marching in second line parades have their sources in the traditional customs of waving or dancing with white handkerchiefs in the Ewe cultures of Ghana, West Africa and Togo, West Africa, and the Igbo culture of Nigeria, West Africa.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/probable-ghanaian-sources-for-new.html for a pancocojams post about those customs that associated with New Orleans second line parades.
****
QUOTES ABOUT GHANAIANS WAVING WHITE HANDKERCHIEFS IN CHURCH
Google books
Word Made Global: Stories of African Christianity in New York City by Mark R. Gornik, Andrew Walls, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, Jul 22, 2011 - p. 89
"Solemnly and slowly the leaders and choir of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Harlem [New York City] process down the aisle. First in line is the Church Choir, dressed in its pressed black and white uniforms, followed by Rev. Asiedu, and a presiding elder. After a selection of hymns and liturgical prayers in Twi from the Presbyterian Church of Ghana – from hymnals the members brought with them-the service dramatically shifts gears. The Church band has the congregation out of its pews and in the aisles dancing, marching, and waving white handkerchiefs to the High-life infected rhythms and choruses of Ghanaian Gospel music with its propelling baselines, multiple drums and percussion sounds, and cool saxophone notes.”.
-snip-
Italics were added to highlight this sentence.
****
From http://cny.org/stories/Ghanaians-Are-Welcomed-Home-in-the-Bronx,12917 Ghanaians Are Welcomed Home in the Bronx by RON LAJOIE, 8/5/15
"Members of the Ghanaian Catholic community, in colorful national dress, joyfully participate in a festive Mass Aug. 2 as new members of St. Luke’s parish in the Bronx....
Even before the 4 p.m. Mass started, Ghanaians in colorful national dress lined up to register at folding tables set up outside the little stone church on 138th Street in the Bronx, giving the scene almost the aura of a political rally. Their fellow parishioners, mostly Puerto Rican and other Hispanics with a sprinkling of old guard Irish, dressed in blue St. Luke’s T-shirts, were there to greet them and welcome them to their new spiritual home. This parish had been earmarked for merger with nearby St. Jerome’s parish as part of the Making All Things New initiative. It was the influx of the Ghanaian community, some 900 strong, which allowed St. Luke’s to remain as a stand-alone parish.
...Previously the Ghanaians had shuttled from one Bronx parish to another. On this day they were welcomed with open arms. As the priests processed up the center aisle to the altar both new and old St. Luke’s members greeted them waving white handkerchiefs, a Ghanaian custom.".
-snip-
Italics were added to highlight this sentence.
****
From https://www.modernghana.com/news/111487/1/abrokyir-nkomo-joe-spiritual.html ABROKYIR NKOMO: "Joe Spiritual" by Rodney Nkrumah-BoatengNovember 2002
"If there is one unshakeable tenet your average Ghanaian clings to, it is his faith in a supreme being. Call him Allah, God, Nyame, or Tigari- the Ghanaian believes in his divinity, his omnipresence and indeed, his omnipotence. He may not even be a strict practitioner of his faith, but belief in the divine is non-negotiable. No room for doubts. [The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God-Psalm 54:1]
The raffia-skirted, cowrie-casting Okomfo is never short of customers bearing schnapps and spotless white chickens (for consumption by nananom), even if some of these customers double as churchgoers. Most traditional Ga households in Osu and Labadi come with the standard accessory- a shrine for traditional worship. Go to the mosque on a Friday afternoon and you will see, at the entrance, a huge collection of shoes and sandals to rival the GIHOC shoe factory production line of yesteryear. Ramaddan is just starting back home, and it is a serious, kola-chewing, dawn feasting affair for the Moslem community, in their flowing gowns and caps. On Sundays, the churches are full and bursting at the seams, with prophecies and the speaking in tongues in abundant flow.
There is always a crusade or convention in town. Throughout the land, the faithful lift their voices up into heaven in praise of the Lord, as they sing and dance in the aisles, thumping drums, clanging tambourines, clapping and waving their white hankies in His praise. [Make a joyful noise unto the Lord…-Psalm 100]."
-snip-
I've re-formatted this quote to enhance its readability. Italics were added to highlight this sentence.
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
These examples are given in chronological order according to their publishing dates on YouTube with the oldest dated example given first.
Note: YouTube videos of Ghanaian church services document that not all Ghanaian church services include congregations worshipping waving white handkerchiefs. The following three examples are just a few of the YouTube videos that do include that custom.
Example #1: 2009 Watch Night Service@ Ghanaian Presbyterian Church-Toronto [Canada]
kwabena asare Uploaded on Feb 18, 2010
2009 joint church servie organized by Ghanaian Presbyterian Church, Calvary Methodist Church, and Ghana Methodist Church. All in Toronto [Canada]
****
Example #2: Atta Boafo - Double Double (Blessings)[Ghana]
Atta Boafo, Uploaded on Dec 2, 2010
-snip-
Men and women in church joyfully waving white handkerchiefs in the beginning of the video.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/two-versions-of-african-gospel-song.html for a pancocojams post about this song.
****
Example #3: Ghana calvary Methodist Church, Easter Sunday 2011 [United States]
Daniel Yeboah, Uploaded on Apr 24, 2011
Appreciating the resurrection power of our Lord Jesus Christ.
****
Example #4: Ghana Church Service [Ghana]
John Walton Published on Jun 26, 2014
Here's a short (less than 2 min.) video that I shot at a church service in Ghana. This worship & praise time went on for, probably a half hour, at least. ..
****
Example #5: PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GHANA ,RAMSEYER PRESBY CHURCH SERVICE PRAISE AND WORSHIP [Ghana]
ramseyerpresby church, Published on Sep 28, 2014
RAMSEYERict TEAM
****
ADDENDUM
New Video of Ashanti Historic Festival in Koforidua, New Juaben, Ghana, Africa, World
Hunter Gatherer Published on Apr 4, 2013
Akwantukese Festival of the good people of New Juaben, Koforidua. Depicted are twirling umbrellas, the Ruler of New Juaben, Nana Oti Boateng II borne aloft in a palanquin.
-snip-
Women dancing with white handkerchiefs can be found throughout this video. There is also a brief clip of the Ruler of New Juaben waving a white handkerchief (around 2:50 in this video). New Juaben is a constituency in the Eastern region of Ghana.
-snip-
Note that the videos in the other posts in this series are of Ewe people and not of Ashanti people. Yet, it seems from these videos that both of these ethnic groups have a tradition of waving white handkerchiefs. And that tradition was adapted to waving white handkerchiefs in church.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Information About Dancing And Waving White Handkerchiefs In Ewe Cultures Of Ghana & Togo And The Igbo Culture Of Nigeria
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post is Part I of a four part pancocojams series on Ghanaian, Togolese, and Nigerian customs of waving or twirling white handkerchiefs while dancing or while worshipping in church.
This post presents information about those traditional customs in the Ewe cultures of Ghana, West Africa and Toga, West Africa, as well as information about the Igbos (Nigeria) traditional custom of dancing with white handkerchiefs.
This post also explores some reasons that have been given for the customs of waving white handkerchiefs or dancing white handkerchiefs in those cultures as well as my speculations about the meanings of those customs.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/dancing-holding-white-handkerchiefs-in.html for Part II. Part II showcases videos of the Borborbor (Akpesse) dances of the Ewe people of Ghana, West Africa and of Togo, West Africa. Women traditionally perform those dances holding white handkerchiefs in both hands.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/ghanaian-culture-waving-white.html for Part III of this series. Part III of this series showcases the custom of waving white handkerchiefs in some Ghanaian churches.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/nigerian-culture-igbo-women-dancing.html for Part IV of this series. Part IV showcases videos of the custom of dancing with white handkerchief customs among the Igbo people of Nigeria, West Africa and among the Igbo people living outside of Nigeria.
****
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
****
I believe that the customs of waving white handkerchiefs in New Orleans, Louisiana or elsewhere in the United States while marching in second line wedding parades have their sources in the traditional customs of waving or dancing with white handkerchiefs in the Ewe cultures of Ghana, West Africa and Togo, West Africa, and the Igbo culture of Nigeria, West Africa.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/probable-ghanaian-sources-for-new.html for a pancocojams post about those customs that associated with New Orleans second line parades.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT BORBORBOR (Ghana) / (AKPESSE (Togo)- TRADITIONAL DANCES WITH WHITE HANDKERCHIEFS AMONG EWE WOMEN IN GHANA AND IN TOGO
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borborbor
"Borborbor is Ghanaian and Togolese traditional dance performed by the Ewes from mid Volta region of Ghana. The dance is specially performed during the festival of the chiefs and peoples of communities."
**
From http://www.bridgingdevelopment.org/culturepages/musicpages/borborbor.htm
"Borborbor is the most popular style of recreational music in the Volta Region [of Ghana]. It links traditional drumming rhythms with proverbial lyrics that frequently include Christian themes. It is the ultimate blend of old and new. Borborbor is often played at celebrations and funerals. Borborbor drummers weave moderate beats while women dancers and singers revolve around them. Women singers carry two white handkerchiefs that they twirl in the air at the end of a drumming period. A bugle may be used to add spice to the music. There is usually one song leader who will sing the first line of a song and lead the people from one song to the next by combining the meanings of different songs in unique ways to evoke the spirit of the particular occasion. Everyone in the community may participate in these performances which usually begin at dusk and can continue well into the night and even until dawn. Borborbor dance is very suggestive and many boy-girl liaisons develop during these events."
**
From http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=201101
[Excerpt from a comment about the use of colored handkerchiefs for borborbor]
"I have seen a [borborbor] group use black and red handkerchiefs. That is ugly. It is an abomination that will be sternly frowned upon by the borborbor aficionados. Anything other than white handkerchiefs detracts from the purity of the dance."...
-snip-
The tradition of only dancing Borborbor with two white handkerchiefs might be weakening. For example, a woman dressed in brown in a 2007 video of Borborbor from Tema, Ghana dances with one brown handkerchief. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yVIAwvWbMA. Also, in a 2012 video of Borborbor dancing at a funeral, women dressed in red dance with red handkerchiefs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yVIAwvWbMA. (Note: Red and black are funeral colors in Ghana.). And another Ghanaian video shows a woman wearing a black dress dancing with a black handkerchief and some women dancing Borborbor with no handkerchiefs at all https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjRhMlerw9k.
In the Togolese videos that I've watched on YouTube, white handkerchiefs held by the dancers are smaller and thinner. From the few videos that I've seen, it appears to me that there is more emphasis on the twirling motions in the Togolese form of Borborbor than in the Ghanaian form of that dance. I've not found any information online about the meaning of these dances.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/borborbor-performances-togo-ghana.html
I've not been able to find any information online about the name or names of the Igbo (Nigerian) traditional dances that women performed and still perform with white handkerchiefs. However, the information that I found points to what I think is the real reasons for the use of white handkerchiefs in Igbo dance (and, I believe also provides the real reasons for the use of white handkerchiefs in Ewe dance. Those reasons are given in #4 and #5 of the "Why..." section below.
****
A QUOTE ABOUT WAVING WHITE HANDKERCHIEFS IN GHANAIAN CHURCH SERVICES
Google books
Word Made Global: Stories of African Christianity in New York City by Mark R. Gornik, Andrew Walls, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, Jul 22, 2011 - p. 89
Solemnly and slowly the leaders and choir of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Harlem [New York City] process down the aisle. First in line is the Church Choir, dressed in its pressed black and white uniforms, followed by Rev. Asiedu, and a presiding elder. After a selection of hymns and liturgical prayers in Twi from the Presbyterian Church of Ghana – from hymnals the members brought with them-the service dramatically shifts gears. The Church band has the congregation out of its pews and in the aisles dancing, marching, and waving white handkerchiefs to the High-life infected rhythms and choruses of Ghanaian Gospel music with its propelling baselines, multiple drums and percussion sounds, and cool saxophone notes”.
-snip-
Videos of Ghanaian church services that include waving white handkerchiefs are included in Part II of this pancocojams series. However, YouTube videos document that waving white handkerchiefs isn't done in every Ghanaian denomination (and probably not every church service for particular denominations).
****
COMMENTS ABOUT THE MEANING OF WHITE HANDKERCHIEFS IN IGBO AND EWE DANCES
Note: I've assigned numbers to these quotes for referencing purposes only.
1. From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bho1JbB1gTA Atta Boafo - Double Double (Blessings)*
sisteryaime, 2012
"can anyone please tell me the meaning behind the lttle cloths all african always be swinging around while praising God in church? thxs"
**
2. From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bho1JbB1gTA Atta Boafo - Double Double (Blessings)*
callmeblessings, 2012
in reply to sisteryaime
@sisteryaime lol it doesn't really have a meaning as far as I know. Its just people in africa have these little scarves or cloth because of the heat. For some reason they started using it in church as an extra to praise God. It looks nice too when the whole church does it I think lol."
-snip-
The comment that people wave white handkerchiefs in church because of the heat is echoed in discussion threads about why people wave white handkerchiefs during New Orleans wedding second line parades. I think that reason is much too simplistic. That said, I agree that Borborbor dancers, Igbo dancers, people waving handkerchiefs while dancing in church, or just waving handkerchiefs in church could also use those handkerchiefs to wipe the sweat of their face. But there's more too the custom then just heat and sweat- as that blogger indicates in the rest of his or her comment.
-snip-
This video is featured in Part II of this pancocojams series. Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/two-versions-of-african-gospel-song.html for a pancocojams post about the song "Double Double" which includes the lyrics for that song.
**
3. From Google book
Riddle and Bash: African Performance and Literature Reviews
By Chinenye Ce African Books Collective, 2010
p. 60
[describing Igbo women dancers]
"A white handkerchief can be seen on their hands with which they which wave in rhythm to their dancing and wipe the sweat off their faces. As custodians of virtue, they must be bare footed so that their feet are fully on earth. Waist movements are measured and controlled, hand gestures are also prominent."
**
4. From https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/TalkNigeria/conversations/topics/38807 Reply to Jimjack-The Politics of Oil: Ikwere Search for Cultural Identity
Paul Oranika, Jul 23, 2007
"Dear JimJack:
..."You also need to understand that white handkerchiefs are not just used for sweat purposes only, black, yellow, green purple and other color handkerchiefs could do the same job as well. JimJack the major cultural angle of the white handkerchiefs used by Igbo women in dancing serves a major purpose of dance and movement synchronization.
-snip-
It seems to me that any one color could serve the purpose of dance and movement synchronization. Also, any one color could help emphasize the movements of the hands (which I think is one purpose for the handkerchiefs). But I think that the reason why the color white was (is?) chosen for this dance (the Igbo dances and also the Ewe dances) is because of the cultural meaning of the color "white" in those cultures.
****
5. From https://books.google.com/books?id=8bswAQAAIAAJ
Groundwork of Igbo history - Page 754
Adiele Eberechukwu Afigbo - 1992 - [Snippet view]
"Because the Ogbaru people associated the white colour with deities, the dance was first performed with costumes made of white cloth under the priestess, the dance had a religious character... However, white handkerchief was introduced to accentuate the white symbolism."
-snip-
Although this comment refers to Igbo traditional dancing, it may also apply to the Ewe dancing that are the focus of this post.
-snip-
I believe these customs also have an aesthetic value, i.e. they look good.
****
MY SPECULATION ABOUT WHY GHANAIANS AND OTHER PEOPLE WAVE WHITE HANKERCHIEFS DURING CHRISTIAN WORSHIP SERVICES
While waving and twirling white handkerchiefs in the traditional dances may have emphasized the movement of the dancers' hands and helped show group synchronicity, it seems to me that the main reason why people wave handkerchiefs in church is that it's a way of joyfully praising God. The Borborbor dance is probably the source of that custom for Ghanaian Christians although that dance isn't traditional for all Ghanaians.
Note these comments from the discussion thread for the video of the Gospel song "Double Double" whose link is given above:
tallandstately, 2011
"Who said you can't have fun while praising God! Wow, GOD IS GOOD!!"
**
"deborah king, 2013
"love it make a joyful noise unto the LORD"
**
phio luv, 2013
"we shall enter His gates with thanks giving....oh i love that"
**
KrisJSR, 2013
"this song puts me in such a great mood for worship for dancing!!!i love it! my God is Good O!!"
-snip-
The color white denotes purity and therefore fits in Christian theological beliefs. In addition, notice in the videos of these church worship services (that are found in Part II of this series) that men and women raise their handkerchiefs high and not low. That also fits in the theological belief in God being above (Heaven).
-snip-
I'm interested in your opinions about why white handkerchiefs are used for these dances and worship services.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post is Part I of a four part pancocojams series on Ghanaian, Togolese, and Nigerian customs of waving or twirling white handkerchiefs while dancing or while worshipping in church.
This post presents information about those traditional customs in the Ewe cultures of Ghana, West Africa and Toga, West Africa, as well as information about the Igbos (Nigeria) traditional custom of dancing with white handkerchiefs.
This post also explores some reasons that have been given for the customs of waving white handkerchiefs or dancing white handkerchiefs in those cultures as well as my speculations about the meanings of those customs.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/dancing-holding-white-handkerchiefs-in.html for Part II. Part II showcases videos of the Borborbor (Akpesse) dances of the Ewe people of Ghana, West Africa and of Togo, West Africa. Women traditionally perform those dances holding white handkerchiefs in both hands.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/ghanaian-culture-waving-white.html for Part III of this series. Part III of this series showcases the custom of waving white handkerchiefs in some Ghanaian churches.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/nigerian-culture-igbo-women-dancing.html for Part IV of this series. Part IV showcases videos of the custom of dancing with white handkerchief customs among the Igbo people of Nigeria, West Africa and among the Igbo people living outside of Nigeria.
****
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
****
I believe that the customs of waving white handkerchiefs in New Orleans, Louisiana or elsewhere in the United States while marching in second line wedding parades have their sources in the traditional customs of waving or dancing with white handkerchiefs in the Ewe cultures of Ghana, West Africa and Togo, West Africa, and the Igbo culture of Nigeria, West Africa.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/probable-ghanaian-sources-for-new.html for a pancocojams post about those customs that associated with New Orleans second line parades.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT BORBORBOR (Ghana) / (AKPESSE (Togo)- TRADITIONAL DANCES WITH WHITE HANDKERCHIEFS AMONG EWE WOMEN IN GHANA AND IN TOGO
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borborbor
"Borborbor is Ghanaian and Togolese traditional dance performed by the Ewes from mid Volta region of Ghana. The dance is specially performed during the festival of the chiefs and peoples of communities."
**
From http://www.bridgingdevelopment.org/culturepages/musicpages/borborbor.htm
"Borborbor is the most popular style of recreational music in the Volta Region [of Ghana]. It links traditional drumming rhythms with proverbial lyrics that frequently include Christian themes. It is the ultimate blend of old and new. Borborbor is often played at celebrations and funerals. Borborbor drummers weave moderate beats while women dancers and singers revolve around them. Women singers carry two white handkerchiefs that they twirl in the air at the end of a drumming period. A bugle may be used to add spice to the music. There is usually one song leader who will sing the first line of a song and lead the people from one song to the next by combining the meanings of different songs in unique ways to evoke the spirit of the particular occasion. Everyone in the community may participate in these performances which usually begin at dusk and can continue well into the night and even until dawn. Borborbor dance is very suggestive and many boy-girl liaisons develop during these events."
**
From http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=201101
[Excerpt from a comment about the use of colored handkerchiefs for borborbor]
"I have seen a [borborbor] group use black and red handkerchiefs. That is ugly. It is an abomination that will be sternly frowned upon by the borborbor aficionados. Anything other than white handkerchiefs detracts from the purity of the dance."...
-snip-
The tradition of only dancing Borborbor with two white handkerchiefs might be weakening. For example, a woman dressed in brown in a 2007 video of Borborbor from Tema, Ghana dances with one brown handkerchief. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yVIAwvWbMA. Also, in a 2012 video of Borborbor dancing at a funeral, women dressed in red dance with red handkerchiefs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yVIAwvWbMA. (Note: Red and black are funeral colors in Ghana.). And another Ghanaian video shows a woman wearing a black dress dancing with a black handkerchief and some women dancing Borborbor with no handkerchiefs at all https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjRhMlerw9k.
In the Togolese videos that I've watched on YouTube, white handkerchiefs held by the dancers are smaller and thinner. From the few videos that I've seen, it appears to me that there is more emphasis on the twirling motions in the Togolese form of Borborbor than in the Ghanaian form of that dance. I've not found any information online about the meaning of these dances.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/borborbor-performances-togo-ghana.html
I've not been able to find any information online about the name or names of the Igbo (Nigerian) traditional dances that women performed and still perform with white handkerchiefs. However, the information that I found points to what I think is the real reasons for the use of white handkerchiefs in Igbo dance (and, I believe also provides the real reasons for the use of white handkerchiefs in Ewe dance. Those reasons are given in #4 and #5 of the "Why..." section below.
****
A QUOTE ABOUT WAVING WHITE HANDKERCHIEFS IN GHANAIAN CHURCH SERVICES
Google books
Word Made Global: Stories of African Christianity in New York City by Mark R. Gornik, Andrew Walls, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, Jul 22, 2011 - p. 89
Solemnly and slowly the leaders and choir of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Harlem [New York City] process down the aisle. First in line is the Church Choir, dressed in its pressed black and white uniforms, followed by Rev. Asiedu, and a presiding elder. After a selection of hymns and liturgical prayers in Twi from the Presbyterian Church of Ghana – from hymnals the members brought with them-the service dramatically shifts gears. The Church band has the congregation out of its pews and in the aisles dancing, marching, and waving white handkerchiefs to the High-life infected rhythms and choruses of Ghanaian Gospel music with its propelling baselines, multiple drums and percussion sounds, and cool saxophone notes”.
-snip-
Videos of Ghanaian church services that include waving white handkerchiefs are included in Part II of this pancocojams series. However, YouTube videos document that waving white handkerchiefs isn't done in every Ghanaian denomination (and probably not every church service for particular denominations).
****
COMMENTS ABOUT THE MEANING OF WHITE HANDKERCHIEFS IN IGBO AND EWE DANCES
Note: I've assigned numbers to these quotes for referencing purposes only.
1. From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bho1JbB1gTA Atta Boafo - Double Double (Blessings)*
sisteryaime, 2012
"can anyone please tell me the meaning behind the lttle cloths all african always be swinging around while praising God in church? thxs"
**
2. From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bho1JbB1gTA Atta Boafo - Double Double (Blessings)*
callmeblessings, 2012
in reply to sisteryaime
@sisteryaime lol it doesn't really have a meaning as far as I know. Its just people in africa have these little scarves or cloth because of the heat. For some reason they started using it in church as an extra to praise God. It looks nice too when the whole church does it I think lol."
-snip-
The comment that people wave white handkerchiefs in church because of the heat is echoed in discussion threads about why people wave white handkerchiefs during New Orleans wedding second line parades. I think that reason is much too simplistic. That said, I agree that Borborbor dancers, Igbo dancers, people waving handkerchiefs while dancing in church, or just waving handkerchiefs in church could also use those handkerchiefs to wipe the sweat of their face. But there's more too the custom then just heat and sweat- as that blogger indicates in the rest of his or her comment.
-snip-
This video is featured in Part II of this pancocojams series. Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/two-versions-of-african-gospel-song.html for a pancocojams post about the song "Double Double" which includes the lyrics for that song.
**
3. From Google book
Riddle and Bash: African Performance and Literature Reviews
By Chinenye Ce African Books Collective, 2010
p. 60
[describing Igbo women dancers]
"A white handkerchief can be seen on their hands with which they which wave in rhythm to their dancing and wipe the sweat off their faces. As custodians of virtue, they must be bare footed so that their feet are fully on earth. Waist movements are measured and controlled, hand gestures are also prominent."
**
4. From https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/TalkNigeria/conversations/topics/38807 Reply to Jimjack-The Politics of Oil: Ikwere Search for Cultural Identity
Paul Oranika, Jul 23, 2007
"Dear JimJack:
..."You also need to understand that white handkerchiefs are not just used for sweat purposes only, black, yellow, green purple and other color handkerchiefs could do the same job as well. JimJack the major cultural angle of the white handkerchiefs used by Igbo women in dancing serves a major purpose of dance and movement synchronization.
-snip-
It seems to me that any one color could serve the purpose of dance and movement synchronization. Also, any one color could help emphasize the movements of the hands (which I think is one purpose for the handkerchiefs). But I think that the reason why the color white was (is?) chosen for this dance (the Igbo dances and also the Ewe dances) is because of the cultural meaning of the color "white" in those cultures.
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5. From https://books.google.com/books?id=8bswAQAAIAAJ
Groundwork of Igbo history - Page 754
Adiele Eberechukwu Afigbo - 1992 - [Snippet view]
"Because the Ogbaru people associated the white colour with deities, the dance was first performed with costumes made of white cloth under the priestess, the dance had a religious character... However, white handkerchief was introduced to accentuate the white symbolism."
-snip-
Although this comment refers to Igbo traditional dancing, it may also apply to the Ewe dancing that are the focus of this post.
-snip-
I believe these customs also have an aesthetic value, i.e. they look good.
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MY SPECULATION ABOUT WHY GHANAIANS AND OTHER PEOPLE WAVE WHITE HANKERCHIEFS DURING CHRISTIAN WORSHIP SERVICES
While waving and twirling white handkerchiefs in the traditional dances may have emphasized the movement of the dancers' hands and helped show group synchronicity, it seems to me that the main reason why people wave handkerchiefs in church is that it's a way of joyfully praising God. The Borborbor dance is probably the source of that custom for Ghanaian Christians although that dance isn't traditional for all Ghanaians.
Note these comments from the discussion thread for the video of the Gospel song "Double Double" whose link is given above:
tallandstately, 2011
"Who said you can't have fun while praising God! Wow, GOD IS GOOD!!"
**
"deborah king, 2013
"love it make a joyful noise unto the LORD"
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phio luv, 2013
"we shall enter His gates with thanks giving....oh i love that"
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KrisJSR, 2013
"this song puts me in such a great mood for worship for dancing!!!i love it! my God is Good O!!"
-snip-
The color white denotes purity and therefore fits in Christian theological beliefs. In addition, notice in the videos of these church worship services (that are found in Part II of this series) that men and women raise their handkerchiefs high and not low. That also fits in the theological belief in God being above (Heaven).
-snip-
I'm interested in your opinions about why white handkerchiefs are used for these dances and worship services.
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