I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive
expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what
culture we're from, everyone loves music.👌 Let’s support our Ewe
Culture Music and don’t hesitate to Call us for any Proggam or for any
sponsorship Deal God bless y’all for the support.
**** Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series about Borborbor music and dance from Ghana, West Africa and from Togo, West Africa.
This post showcases a few videos of the Ghanaian (Ewe) music group Edzordzinam Fafali Borborbor Band with a focus on the hand clapping and other hand motions that are performed by that band's singers.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the founders, leaders, and other members of Edzordzinam Fafali Borborbor Band and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
**** PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE I am an African American self-described "community folklorist who knows nothing about African culture besides what I've read and watched online. I first learned about Borborbor music and dance in 2012 as a result of "happening" upon a video while "surfing" YouTube for traditional African music and dance. [The link for the pancocojams post that was the result of my finding out about Borborbor is given above.] Most of the articles and comments that I've read about
Borborbor dancing focus on its drumming style and/or it allegedly being the
source for or resembling contemporary "twerking" dancing.
I haven't found any online content about howBorborbor singers' alternate between clapping
their own hands and performing other synchronized hand motions.
I'm not a musician but it appears to me that the Borborbor singers in the videos that I've watched which show those singers clap their hands on the first and second beats and then (usually) do some other synchronized hand motions on the third and fourth beat.
*By "individual" I mean that the singers are clapping their own hands and not the hands of anyone else.
**By "synchronized" I mean that it usually appears that all or many of the singers at a particular time in a video are doing the same alternate hand motions after they clap their hands. I don't know what-if anything- those motions mean in Ewe culture. Usually the singers stand in place without moving while doing these hand claps and other hand motions. However, sometimes they move from side to side and/or appear to perform some dance moves without leaving their spot.
These videos are given in no particular order. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.
DISCLAIMER
This pancocojams post doesn't provide examples of all the hand motions that I've seen in Edzordzinam Fafali Borborbor Band. Idon't know if singers in other Borborbor bands do the same or some different hand motions.
This post also doesn't YouTube videos of this these post doesn't include any time stamps or descriptions of the singers' hand clapping or other hand motions simply because I don't believe I could adequately describe those motions. Please feel free to add your descriptions about these Borborbor singers' hand clapping signatures and these hand motions.
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #2: Dzidzɔkpɔkpɔ nye dadanya ŋutɔ le míaƒe Bɔbɔbɔ dekɔnuwo ƒe
domenyinu bliboa me.❤️
Edzordzinam Fafali Officials, Dec 20, 2022
Best traditional culture group Edzordzinam fafali borborbor
band 💪💪 0277141434
****
SHOWCASE #3 - Check this massive borborbor performance ❤️❤️dont
forget to share abd subscribe to our channel ❤️❤️
This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series about Borborbor music and dance from Ghana, West Africa and from Togo, West Africa. This
dance is also called "Bobobo Akpesse", "Bobobo", and
"Akpessee".
This post showcases a YouTube video of Edzordzinam Fafali Borborbor Band and provides some information about Borborbor music.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/03/five-youtube-video-examples-of-singers.html for Part II of this two part pancocojams series. That post showcases a few videos of the Ghanaian (Ewe) music group Edzordzinam Fafali Borborbor Band with a focus on how Borborbor singers alternate individual hand clapping with other synchronized hand motions.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the founders, leaders, and other members of Edzordzinam Fafali Borborbor Band and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube. -snip- Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/borborbor-performances-togo-ghana for a 2012 pancocojams post entitled "Borborbor Performances – Ghana and Togo, West Africa"
**** ARTICLE EXCERPTS/COMPLETE REPRINT
These excerpts and one complete reprint are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only. However, based on current YouTube videos, some of these excerpts refer to traditional Borborbor music and dance instead of describing how that music and dance are performed in the 2000s.
Borborbor is an African tribal dance of the “Ewedome” community in Ghana, Africa. This “tribal” dance is said to have originated from the mid Volta region in Ghana. This dance is generally performed during “festive” occasions. In addition, this dance style essentially consists of music that involves the use of “drums”. Furthermore, the music used for this dance is also accompanied by “singing”. In addition, this form of dance is mainly performed in a group from dawn right until dusk.
a. *History/origin of the Borborbor:
It is believed that the root of this dance form has been embedded within the culture of a village called Wusuta located around the Volta Lake in Ghana during the late 1940’s. It was however an ex-police officer belonging to a village called Kpando called Francis Nuatro who first developed a musical genre called “Borborbor”. He apparently fused styles of music such as the Konkoma to produce this (Borborbor) genre of music. Furthermore, it was then to the rhythms of this music that this dance form was eventually produced, and was quite aptly named “Borborbor”.
b. *Costumes used in the Borborbor:*
This dance form is performed mainly by females and the costume worn includes a colourful long dress and two white handkerchiefs.
c. *Instruments involved in the Borborbor:*
“Traditional instruments” belonging to the Ewe community is basically used in this dance style. They include a pair of castanets, container rattles, a small drum called “vuvi”, a supporting drum called “asivu”, and a master drum called “vuga”.
d. *Training availability and dance technique involved in the Borborbor:face_blowing_a_kiss:
In terms of the technique, this dance involves the performers forming a circle, and swaying to the rhythmic beats of the music produced by the drums played by the musicians. In addition, while dancing the performers are supposed to twirl two handkerchiefs in the air. As for training centres/schools there are none available around the globe since this is essentially an “African tribal dance” that is performed exclusively by a tribe in Ghana known as “Ewedome”.
**** Excerpt #2 From https://ghanagoods.co.uk/ewe-dances/#:~:text=Also%20known%20as%20Agbeyeye%20or,Ewes%20of%20Ghana%20and%20Togo. Ewe Dances: Borborbor Dance by Disphoria, October 12, 2015 "The joy on achieving Independence in Ghana was expressed in
various ways by the entire populace of the country. This “new life” envisaged,
resulted in the emergence of several new musical types. These new creations
relating to the “freedom” to be enjoyed through the said independence have
roots in the popular Ghanaian Highlife. Boborbor is one of such musical
creations of the period 1947 – 1957. Also known as Agbeyeye or Akpese; Boborbor
originated from Kpando in the Volta Region of Ghana through the ingenuity of
the late Francis Cudjoe Nuatro popularly called F.C. Boboobo is presently the
most popular social music and dance of the central and northern Ewes of Ghana
and Togo. It is generally performed at funerals and other social occasions.
Boborbor music and dance ceremony is syncretic in character and it is performed
principally in a circular formation."
..."Bobobo, the second dance-drumming piece of the night, is a
type of recreational dance-drumming of the Ewe people in
Southeastern Ghana. It originated in Kpando, located in the Northern Volta Region,
prior to Ghanaian independence in the late 1950s. Influences from
West African highlife, for example the offbeat bell timeline, and Western
hymn singing are evident. Most of the song lyrics in Bobobo are set in
the Ewe language.
While many Ewe genres include mixed-gender dancing, the
typical gender roles of this genre include female dancers, and male
drummers. Drumming is typically performed only by men in Ghana. A trumpet or
bugle is commonly used to accompany the singing and improvise around
the melodies of the songs. The instrumentation includes the toke
(boat-shaped single bell), kretsiwa (iron finger bell), akaye (gourd
shaker), vuvi (small stick drum), asivui (hand drum), dondo (double-sided hourglass-shaped talking drum), vuga (master drum)."
****
Complete reprint #4 From https://tradancestudio.wordpress.com/2020/04/27/the-borborbor-dance-by-the-ewe-people/By Edem Teigo "Borborbor dance historically is an African recreational dance by the people of Ewe ethic group in Ghana and started by the people of Ewedome before later spread to Kpando, Hohoe, Ho and southern part of Volta Region and other regions of Ghana. The Borborbor genre is also called “akpesee” and spread to all Ewe speaking areas including Togo and Benin.
The root of the dance has been embedded within the culture of a village called Wusuta, located around the Volta Lake of Ghana during the 1940’s. It was however an old ex_police officer from Kpando village by name Francis Nuatro who first started a musical genre called “Borborbor “. He is the grandfather of Borborbor – genius of the genre if there is any recognition of Borborbor today. He fused the original music form, Konkoma with other forms of music genres to the modern Borborbor sound. The genre gained ground and was recognized as one of the popular dance due to the hard work of Francis Nuatro as many songs of Borborbor were composed by him. During a visit to Kpando by Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, it was reported that the rhythms of the borborbor music used at the welcoming ceremony won his heart as he joined the dancing led by Nuatro group.
Traditional instruments found at the Ewe community are basically used for this dance style. They include a pair of castanets, a container rattles, a small drum called “vuvi” a supporting drum called “asivu” and a master drum called “Vuga” but many bands now use between two and four drums. The castanets go” kor kor kor, kor kor kor, in triple beat in almost all borborbor music. The smaller drums basically just keep the rhythm going. It is the bass drum that provides the distinctive borborbor sound. That is why the master drummer must be good. In a typical borborbor number, the lead singer may start alone or with the accompaniment of the castanets. The drums and the chorus follow after some singing. The interchange between lead singer and chorus go on for some time through different songs. Then the bugler blows his first two notes, usually drawing out the second one as long as possible (pa paaaaaa) whereupon the dancing girls will bend down (it is not called borborbor for nothing) adding some more styles to their movements. The master drummer will raise his act sometimes following the melody of the horn, at other times inter-lacing rhythmically with it. The bugler ends his long solo on a note that cues the lead singer to take up the singing again at the same time as the dancing girls will rise up, their white handkerchiefs fluttering in the air in a calculated dance movement.
The Borborbor dance has now adaptation of rhymes and high life as songs as traditional Borborbor songs has been adulterated thereby affecting the significant of that rhythmic dance form.The genre is performance at funeral, festival, naming ceremony and ceremony to welcome special guests."
**** Excerpt #5 From http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=201101 "A
traditional Borborbor group consists of a pair of castanets, container rattles,
small drums (vuvi), supporting drum (asivu), and a master drum (vuga) but many
bands now use between two and four drums. The castanets go ”kor kor kor, kor
kor kor”, in triple beat in almost all borborbor music. The smaller drums
basically just keep the rhythm going. It is the bass drum that provides the
distinctive borborbor sound. That is why the master drummer must be good. In a
typical borborbor number, the lead singer may start alone or with the accompaniment
of the castanets. The drums and the chorus follow after some singing. The
interchange between lead singer and chorus go on for some time through
different songs. Then the bugler blows his first two notes, usually drawing out
the second one as long as possible (pa paaaaaa) whereupon the dancing girls
will bend down (it is not called borborbor for nothing) adding some more styles
to their movements. The master drummer will raise his act sometimes following
the melody of the horn, at other times inter-lacing rhythmically with it. The
bugler ends his long solo on a note that cues the lead singer to take up the
singing again at the same time as the dancing girls will rise up, their white
handkerchiefs fluttering in the air. I have seen a 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- Based on the YouTube videos that I have watched, "white" isn't the only color cloth that is twirled by Borborbordancers in the 2000s.
**** Excerpt #6 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."
This pancocojams post provides information about Ghana, West Africa's independence Day March 6, 1957.
This post also presents an excerpt in standard English article and an excerpt in Ghanaian Pidgin English about Ghana's Independence Day.
In addition, this post also showcases a YouTube video copy of a historical film footage about Ghana's Independence Day and presents selected comments from the discussion thread from that YouTube video.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and educational purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who fought for Ghanaian indepence. Thanks to all those who are featured in this video and all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube. -snip- Click __ for a pancocojams post about the song "Ghana Freedom" by E.T. Mensah.
Click the tags below for more pancocojams posts about Ghana.
Ghana Independence Day is celebrated every year on March 6.
It is a public holiday for the citizens of Ghana and also widely celebrated
among Ghanaians living abroad. If March 6 falls on a weekend, the following
Monday will also be observed as a holiday. Ghana Independence Day is also known
as Ghana National Day. The celebrations commemorate Ghana’s independence from
the United Kingdom in 1957. The day is celebrated in public office with
carnivals, parades, and other events. Private citizens celebrate the day with
music and food, and some may even hoist the national flag at home.
[…]
While the Portuguese had been the first to establish a
settlement in the region, the allure of the local riches led to a struggle for
control between many European nations. In 1874, Britain took control over parts
of the country, and Ghana was renamed the British Gold Coast.
After being weakened by the efforts of World War II, Britain
decided to reduce its colonies and the power they held around the world,
including those in Africa. This desire was bolstered by a rising call for
independence in the Gold Coast. In 1947, the United Gold Coast Convention
(U.G.C.C.), a local political party founded by J. B. Danquah, called for
“self-government within the shortest possible time” following the Gold Coast
legislative elections.
In 1951, former Secretary-General of the U.G.C.C. and
founder of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah won a
majority in the Gold Coast legislative election. He was appointed the leader of
the Gold Coast government in 1952, and the Gold Coast region declared its
independence from the United Kingdom on March 6, 1957. Following their
independence, the new country was established as the Nation of Ghana. Nkrumah
went on to become the first Prime Minister of Ghana, and Ghana became the first
sub-Saharan African country to achieve independence from colonial powers.
[...]
GHANA INDEPENDENCE DAY FAQS
How did Ghana get its name?
The name was drawn from an ancient African empire that was
once famous for its significant power, land, and wealth. Ghana means ‘strong
warrior’ or ‘war chief,’ which was the title given to the kings of this ancient
kingdom located in some parts of modern-day Mauritania, Senegal, and Mali. The
country was given this name on the eve of its independence in 1957."...
**** Excerpt #3 From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwame_Nkrumah "Kwame Nkrumah PC (21 September 1909[1][a] – 27 April 1972)
was a Ghanaian politician, political theorist, and revolutionary. He was the
first Prime Minister and President of Ghana, having led the Gold Coast to
independence from Britain in 1957.[2] An influential advocate of
Pan-Africanism, Nkrumah was a founding member of the Organization of African
Unity and winner of the Lenin Peace Prize from the Soviet Union in 1962.[3]
[...]
Nkrumah was hailed as the Osagyefo – which means
"redeemer" in the Akan language."... -snip- From https://www.lexico.com/definition/osagyefo "Osagyefo: The title was bestowed on Nkrumah on becoming president." -snip- The honorary title "Osagyefo" that has been given to other esteemed Ghanaians. [See Google search]
These comments are given in chronological order, except for replies. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.
DISCLAIMER: These comments are the opinions of those who wrote them and not necessarily, the opinions of the editor of this pancocojams blog.
1. Peter Mfinanga, 2016 "great moment in African history..."
** 2. Greg Parbey, 2016
"Kwame Nkrumah was a very good president.
But why would the British come and rule
over Ghana?"
** Reply 3. Mattkrewe, 2017
"imperialism"
** Reply 4. Bethany Davidson, 2020 "Greg Parbey to steal the many resources
here - gold, bauxite, diamonds, oil, and, for a time, human beings. Money and
power are usually at the root of this kind of evil.
** 5. Modinbi Kailey, 2016 "Toils of the brave and the sweat of their labor have so far
being in vain. my heart still bleeds for Ghana because we still haven't proven
to be capable of managing our own affairs 😔
** Reply 6. Obiri Agyirifo, 2021 "It's sad 😔"
** 7. Ama Danquah, 2016 "THE NARATOR SAYS BLACK AFRICA, WHAT DOES
SHE MEAN BY THAT?"
** Reply 8. Herman Kailey, 2016 "+Ama Danquah yeah, Ghana was the first
African state to become independent that was entirely run by the African
natives. There were other independent states at the time but they were under
European control. So when they say Black Africa, they are referring to the
regions other than the ones run by Europeans."
** 9. L-GUN, 2017 "This man saw a world where Africans
banded as one Nation or more or less democratic black empire. While noble i'm
not sure how practical this is"
** Reply 10. william Aggrey-Orleans, 2018 "The world powers sensing the threat such
an idea will be to their collective interests did everything to thwart it.."
** Reply 11. MubarakStayBless Mohammed, 2018 "A huge loss to Afrika. Dr KWAME NKRUMAH"
** 12. mega at oh, 2019 "it's funny how the british lied at the
beginning that "it was a peaceful handover""
** 13. Kodwo Ampiah-Bonney, 2019 "Nkrumah would be crying if he saw Africa
now"
** Reply 14. Faisal Mohammed, 2019 "You're right my friend"
** Reply 15. Kodwo Ampiah-Bonney, 2020 "Danielle Donkor tears of sadness.
Progress is being done as we speak but many internal and external setbacks are
preventing Africa from moving up"
** Reply 16. NkrumahTure, 2021 "I concur. But he left us a blue print for the
restoration of the Afrikan continent in his book, Handbook of Revolútionary
Warfare. If you haven't studied it I highly recommend that you do. In that
book are the solutions to Afrika's
political, and economic problems. Also, it must be followed up with Nkrumah's
book Consciencism, philosophy and ideology for de-colonization. The
philosophical and ideological basis for continental unification rests in that
book.
If we're serious we will take our
direction from Nkrumah through those writings and some others too, like Africa
Must Unite. So, Osageyfo does speak to us through his words, all we have to is
follow them to the letter and we will win."
** 17. TrustNoOne, 2017 "Ghana 🇬🇭 our beloved
country 🌍
Is free forever 💫✨🔥
So proud to be a Ghanaian 🙋🏾♀️✌🏽🙌🏾
God bless our (Home Land Ghana 🇬🇭
)"
** 18. Leticia Agyemang, 2018 "I'm proud to be a Ghanaian. Ghana, we
will make you proud. The future is still bright😍"
The content of this post is presented for cultural and educational purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. ****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2: Kete Dance
Nyansapo Cultural Troupe Nkawie, July 7, 2019 -snip- Here are a few selected comments from this video's discussion thread, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
1. Harriet Affai, 2019 "What’s the difference between adowa and kete???"
** Reply 2. Aba Assiaw-Dufu, 2019 "Harriet Affai Kete is a whole lot of running and leaping.
It’s seems more aggressive than Adowa, in my opinion."
** Reply 3. Snaky Dragon, 2019 "Adowa is more somber and celebration-of-life related, kete
is royal music, much more strict, and the percussion parts are more elaborate
and interlocking (and flutes are sometimes a part of it too). Adowa is also
usually sung along with the band, while kete is only the percussion, dancing,
and sometimes flutes."
** 4. Opoku-Ware Douglas, 2020 "And every move has a meaning."
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #3: Amazing kete dance with typical sign language - who can
explain this?
FOSHUAA TV, Dec. 13, 2019 -snip- Here are two comments from this video's discussion thread:
1. Mustapha Hadji, 2020 "I can see the dancer started learning the dance from her
infancy"
** Reply 2. FOSUAA TV, 2020 "Yes very experienced"
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #4: Kete Dance beautifully performed by Early Bird International
School
Bambini TV, Feb. 7, 2020
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #5: AMAZING KETE DANCE BY A YOUNG BOY
ADAM SAFRO, Feb. 13, 2021
**** This concludes Part III of this pancocojams series.
This pancocojams post showcases a video of Ghana's Harmonious Chorale at the World Choir Games (2018).
This post also provides information about the World Choir Games and the Harmonious Chorale.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are associated with Ghana's Harmonious Choir. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: HARMONIOUS CHORALE AT WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2018
HARMONIOUS CHORALE - GHANA, Published on Nov 14, 2018
Harmonious Chorale at the 10th World Choir Games. Ghana's sole participant at the world choir games crowned winners at World Choir Games. The choir won the newly created category C28 (Champions Competition). Harmonious Chorale Ghana picked up three gold diploma; emerging as the overall winner in one of the category from the open competition.
-snip-
The first song that the Harmonious Chorale sang in this video (beginning at 2:33) is an arrangement of "Lift Every Voice And Sing), which is known as "the African American National Anthem". Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xal0GigaoPQ for a full rendition of this song from this Ghanaian choir.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Choir_Games
"The World Choir Games (formerly named the Choir Olympics) is the largest global choral festival and competition.[1] Organised by the Interkultur Foundation for amateur choirs from all over the world, regardless of their country of origin, race, genre of music or artistic ambitions, its motto is "Singing together brings nations together".[2] The Games originated from the idea to bring people together through singing in peaceful competition, showing that unity of nations through the arts can be effectively and illustratively demonstrated and challenged.[3] The focus of the Games is on participation above winning, and it aims to inspire people to "experience the strength of interaction, challenging personality and community equally by singing together".[4]
The most recent host of the Games was Tshwane, South Africa from 4 - 14 July 2018, and the next edition of the Games will be co-hosted by Antwerp and Ghent, Belgium from 5 – 15 July 2020.[5][6]
General
The Games are hosted biennially (every even year) in a pre-select city across the globe, where choirs compete in selected categories. In 2012, for instance, there were 23 categories,[7] and in 2016 there were 29 categories, among them "Senior Choirs" and "University Choirs".[8] The Games consist of competitions in two classes (Champions and Open), festival concerts, artistic workshops, and various ceremonies.[9] During the competition, choirs compete for gold, silver, bronze, or "Successful Participation" awards. Medals are awarded in the Champions Competition, and diplomas are awarded in the Open Competition. The choir that attains the highest point and a gold medal in a category during the Champions Competition is awarded the title of "Champion of the World Choir Games" for that category.
As part of the festival aspect of the Games choirs may also choose to participate in artistic workshops featuring renowned choral instructors, as well as friendship concerts and free public concerts where choirs share their music with choristers and audiences from different parts of the world.[10][11] Ceremonies that form part of the Games include opening and closing ceremonies where up to 20 000 choristers join in a single venue, as well as the award ceremonies where the outcomes of the Open Competition and Champions Competition are announced. During the proceedings of the Games, the host for the next edition of the Games is usually also announced."
****
NFORMATION ABOUT HARMONIOUS CHOIR
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonious_Chorale
"Harmonious Chorale (HC) is an interdenominational choir based in Accra, Ghana. It is adjudged one of Ghana's best groups.[1] It was formerly formed as the Harmonious Quartet in 2005[2] and established as Harmonious Chorale in 2007.[3]
Dr. Joyce Rosalind Aryee, the founder and Executive Director of Salt and Light Ministries is the Chairman of the choir.[4] The choir is under the directorship of James Varrick Armaah (founder of Harmonious Chorale),[5] composer of popular choral song, 'Oye', and graduate from the school of performing arts Music Department of the University of Ghana, Legon.[6][7]
Harmonious Chorale released its debut album, Come Let Us Sing in 2009.[2]
Harmonious Chorale in 2016 instituted the Joyce Rosalind Aryee International Conference for Choirs,[8] an annual event in appreciation of Aryee's contribution to the promotion and sustenance of chorale music.[9]
Harmonious Chorale was the guest choir at the University of Ghana's maiden edition of the UG Choral Music festival.[10] Harmonious Chorale joined musicians such as Don Moen, Sinach, Angela Christie and Leonel Peterson at the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival, the largest gathering of carol singers in the world, under the auspices of the Governor of the Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.[11]
Harmonious Chorale is the first choir to represent Ghana at the 2018 World Choir Games held in South Africa .[12][13]
Awards
2015 Music of Ghanaian Origin (MOGO) Festival - Best Choral Group[14]
2015 [1] GHYouth Choir Choral Festival & Awards - Choir of the Year[15]
2016 [2] GHYouth Choir Choral Festival & Awards - Choir of the Year [16]
2018 [3] Shine Awards - Best Choral Group[17][18][19]
2018 World Choir Games - Golden Diploma (Level 1 Category 09 Mixed choirs)[20][21]
2018 World Choir Games - Golden Diploma (Level IV Category 016 Musica Sacra with Accompaniment)[20][21]
2018 World Choir Games- Winner (Scenic Folklore)[20][21]
2018 World Choir Games - Champions of the World Choir Games ( C28 Open Repertoire)[22][23]
2018 GHYouth Choir Choral Festival & Awards - Choir of the Year[24]
2018 GHYouth Choir Choral Festival & Awards - Oratorio of the Year (Joseph & His Brethren) [25]
2018 GHYouth Choir Choral Festival & Awards - Easter Concert of the Year (Festival of Praise and Worship) [25]
2018 GHYouth Choir Choral Festival & Awards - Instrumentalist of the year (Augustine Sobeng, Harmonious Chorale) [25]
2018 GHYouth Choir Choral Festival & Awards - Female Vocal of the Year (Lordina Eugenia Osei, Harmonious Chorale)[25]
2018 GHYouth Choir Choral Festival & Awards - Composer of the Year (James Varrick Armaah) [25]
2018 GHYouth Choir Choral Festival & Awards - Choral Song of the Year (Nea Wode Me Abeduru Nie, James Varrick Armaah, Harmonious Chorale) [25]"
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS EMBEDDED VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.
1. Norbert Naanume, 2018
"Thank You Harmonious Chorale for making Ghana proud. World Champions!!!!
**
2. Anita Adubofour, 2018
"Amen.Congratulations HC...Ghana on the map!"
**
3. Ebo Bondzie, 2018
"And this radio presenters don't even talk about
And everyday talking about politics"
**
4. raphael dotse, 2018
"I'm in love with this great group for a long time, can't even describe the joy they bring to my life any time I watch n listen to their marvelous renditions. Big ups Especially my mentor Varrick"
-snip-
Composer James Varrick Armaah is the Founder and Director of the Harmonious Chorale.
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5. Margaret Asamoah, 2018
"But next time be more diverse, Ghana has other languages ,dances, cultures. If you r representing Us, Thanks , CONGRATS !!🙏🙏🙏👍"
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REPLY
6. Tebis VanKelvin, 2019
"@Margaret Asamoah ... They couldn't represent the whole tribes equally that's why they tried representing on ethnic lines with their cultural dressings...
If you look well at the cultural part you will notice every tribe/ethnic group was fairly represented.."
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7. Wisdom Prince, 2019
"Arguably, HC is the best chorale group in Ghana over the past 50 years. Kudos guys for lifting high the flag of Ghana."
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8. Gwynne Cain, 2019
"Interesting to look at this, there is so much African American creativity here you may not think that there was a difference. During Black History Month we may have something that depicts life like it was during the 1600 and 1700's it would be something in this nature, different tribes at Congo Square entertaining themselves. I really like the percussion arangements, but I have a problem with the voicings that are very much European, I am missing a Bass in the voicing that I love to hear, but maybe it is in another country.The voicing arrangement is tooooo much European. They took away the original sound of the African Culture. They catered the music to the people who were doing the competition. Congratulations , next time put some African blackness back in it. We have some choirs in America that will really give you a show. But congratulations because you worked hard to get there and it paid off. But it would be even better if you would stay in the genre that is represented in your culture, undiluted. Just my Opinon."
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REPLY
9. HARMONIOUS CHORALE - GHANA, 2019
"Many thanks and Suggestion well taken. The harmony was done specifically for the Olympics. We promise to give the world more Africanness as we known for in our next production. Thank you."
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REPLY
10. Hannah Dorkenu, 2019
"Although I may agree with you from a certain perspective. I do not understand what you mean by African Culture. Africa itself consists of different cultural groups. Even in Ghana, we have almost over 30 cultural groups. I don't think there is anything like African culture from where I stand in Ghana. And know that this is my opinion. What African American think of Africa may not be as it is. The choir as they were presenting put in twists from different cultural groups in Ghana. I heard a Ga song, a twi song, even saw Borborbor from eweland, Kpalogo from Ga's and Adowa from the Akans. Correct me if I am wrong but I don't know how African you want us to go again, considering the term choir is European."
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REPLY
11. Prince Jadon, 2019
"@Hannah Dorkenu even ewes didn't have one culture"
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REPLY
12. Akosua Adjeiwaa, 2019
"Please i am from Ghana, there's nathing wrong with the show. What do you know about African or Ghana culture."
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REPLY
13. intuitive self-love, 2019
"@Hannah Dorkenu she just wants you to bark like a dog and run naked lol joke aside many people think Africa is a culture. Lol"
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15. Asso asso eric, 2019
"Mes félicitations à ce magnifique groupe qui fait plaisir à ce bon continent d'Afrique"
-snip-
Google translation from French to English:
"Congratulations to this wonderful group that makes this continent of Africa happy"
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16. GH aviator, 2019
"The cultural part was lit. I'm so happy I bumped into this video. Definitely subscribing. 😉😉😉😉"
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17. Margaret Asamoah, 2019
"Work well done All I am saying is be Diverse, Agbadja, Astiagbeko, Gbolo, Borborbor, etc, then you r fully representing Gna , The Ashanti leadership !!!l please. J Nash !!!!"
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REPLY
18. Aso Bosiako, 2019
"Margaret Asamoah let's stop such talks...its Ghanaian and beautiful."
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19. Aseye Diaba, 2019
"Knowing how rich our culture and history is, I cannot rationalize why Ghanaians parents are paying $$$ to send their kids to school in Ghana that primarily teaches a British or American history and culture (curriculum) . Can someone tell me if they’ve seen any pupil in England or America learning about Ghanaian history. How many kids today know about the history of the black stool? Yet you will find Ghanaian kids in international schools in Ghana learning about the 1066 battle of Hastings. We are raising a generation of Ghanaian kids who know absolutely nothing about their culture and fail to see how this will impact us in the future .We are the same folks who will scream if a white man appropriates our culture and starts selling it to us because we do not know the value of what we have. Let us emancipate ourselves from mental slavery.
Well done harmonious chorale for representing our people and culture so well"
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20. Nketiah Manu Joseph, 2019
"Awwww my God I feel like crying ooo😭😭😭😭😭😭😭Ghana ooooooo Ghana"
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21. Linda Ofoli, 2019
"Watching from Italy..much love for Ghanaaaaaaaaaa my motherland❤❤❤❤"
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22. Harriet Afia Mensah, 2019
"Why are we not hearing about this in the media??? They did a FANTASTIC JOB, I'm very proud"
