Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases a video of the late 2016 hit dance song "Teré Teré" by the Togolese duo Toofan.
Information about Toofan is included in this post along with information about the song Teré Teré, the original lyrics, and my attempt at loosely transcribing this song into English.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Toofan for their musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT TOOFAN & THEIR SONG "TERE TERE"
From http://mauriyambo.blogspot.com/2016/12/music-togo-tere-tere-by-toofan.html MUSIC (Togo): Teré Teré by Toofan, Posted 11th December 2016 by Mauri Yambo
"Toofan is a super-inspired and talented duo from Togo, in West Africa. They go by the 'stage' names of Masta Just and Barabas, respectively. They have been around for more than a couple of years now, and their fame has only grown. Last month, November 2016, they released a very catchy track titled Teré Teré, which is making great waves right now on TV channels dedicated to music -- more specifically Trace Mziki and Trace Naija -- across Africa. It's catchy in both the sight and sound realms. Catchy and captivating.
The song is sung in French. But some East Africans would be forgiven to think that Toofan was using two words very familiar in their vernacular: Mano Ber (at 0:38, 0:47, 1:31, 1:40, 2:23, 2:32 and 3:18 of the video); and Sibuor (loudly at 1:42). Just aural illusions, rather than smart-alec allusions, though. For these East African ears, mano ber has a clear meaning: "that's good or fine" (whatever that is). Sibuor is the word for a lion (preferably a male lion in full gear, or mane).
About five decades ago, one still recalls, a popular Jamaican song (by Chaka Demus and Pliers) titled Murder She Wrote (read the background story here) was similarly widely but mistakenly 'heard' and sung in Nairobi as "Mama Shiro"! And so it goes, charmingly.
Teré Teré is both the essential song and the beat which carries the dance along. It is, that is to say, a part of that niche in pop music which lays great emphasis on dancing -- group-dance (or choreographed dance routines) -- and so discourages extended or 'fancy' singing. This niche has been around for quite a while, really, but seems to be enjoying some kind of resurgence now.
[...]
In short, … Teré Teré is practically all dance, with just enough lyrics (and related singing) to hold the dance together. And Teré Teré is at once the song's title and the lyrics' (and the dance's) dominant punctuation mark."...
-snip-
Additional information about Toofan is found in this earlier pancocojams post:
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/09/moroccan-singer-jannat-mahid.html
"Moroccan Singer Jannat Mahid featuring.Togolese Duo Toofan - MaMa Africa 2017 (information, video, & comments)"
****
LYRICS: "TERE TERE"
(performed by Toofan)
teré teré
nani, nané Toofan
camon camon bebe
c'est moi daddy sugar
la fi la fi bémé
et teréré c'est mon sedan
camon camon bebé
rétéréré se mon sedan
teré
From https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Toofan/Ter%C3%A9-ter%C3%A9/translation/english
-snip-
These words were given under the heading "Original lyrics". In spite of the heading "English translation (89%), the only English words on that page are "I am daddy sugar".
I believe that the lyrics for this song are from Togolese Pidgin (or Creole) French with two English words (sugar daddy). Here's my loosely translated attempt for this song, using the definition of "teré" (from a comment by Toofan that is found below, #1), using Google translate, and guessing meanings for some of the other words. Additions and corrections for this transcription are welcome.
Bury them. Bury them.*
We are Toofan
come on, come on, baby
I'm your sugar daddy**
la fi la fi bémé [?]
Forget about your problems. Come join me in my car.
Come on Come on baby
Forget about your problems, go for a ride with me in my car.
Bury them.
-snip-
*Bury them= Bury (forget about) your problems; put your problem aside.)
**sugar daddy= usually means "a well-to-do usually older man who supports or spends lavishly on a mistress, girlfriend, or boyfriend" https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sugar%20daddy. However, in the context of this song, "sugar daddy" just means a man who treats a woman very well, probably including buying her expensive things.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Toofan - "TERÉ TERÉ" (Official Video)
TOOFAN Officiel Published on Nov 2, 2016
Découvrez le clip officiel du titre "TERÉ TERÉ" et de la nouvelle danse du même nom! Une nouvelle danse qui va vous aider à enterrer vos problèmes !
-snip-
Google translate from French to English
Discover the official clip of the title "TERÉ TERÉ" and the new dance of the same name! A new dance that will help you bury your problems!
©SouthAfrica ©JustinCampos
-snip-
Here are four comments from this video's discussion thread with Google translate from French to English:
1. TOOFAN Officiel, 2017
"Merci à tous pour votre soutien #Thanks ! TERÉ = Enterrer, piétiner les problèmes et les soucis :)
-snip-
Thank you all for your support #Thanks! TERE = Burying, trampling problems and worries :)
-snip-
Note that the French word "enterrer" means "bury".
**
2. Yvadance, 2017
"TOOFAN Officiel Yes team Togo 🇹🇬 Continuez à nous ambiancer avec vos musiques 👏🏾👏🏾😘👍🏾"
-snip-
"TOOFAN Official Yes team Togo 🇹🇬 Continue to surround us with your music 👏🏾👏🏾😘👍🏾"
**
3. Flora Bee, 2017
"Merci de représenter aussi bien notre beau Togo !!"
-snip-
Thank you for representing our beautiful Togo!
**
4. Zozius Sebastien, 2017
"En créole ça veut dire "enterrer" mdr 😂 en"
-snip-
"In creole it means "to bury" mdr 😂 in"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label Togolese music and dance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Togolese music and dance. Show all posts
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Friday, September 8, 2017
Moroccan Singer Jannat Mahid featuring.Togolese Duo Toofan - MaMa Africa 2017 (information, video, & comments)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post provides information about the Moroccan singer Jannat Mehid and information about the Togolese duo Toofan.
This post also showcases the official video for "MaMa Africa" by Jannat featuring Toofan and also includes a few selected comments from that video's discussion thread.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to and all those who are featured in this song and its video. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Jannat ft. Toofan - MaMa Africa 2017 | جنات - ماما افريكا
Jannat Mahid, Published on Jan 29, 2017
Google translate of Arabic summary to English:
By the way dear to the hearts of all Moroccans, we commend you for this artwork on the occasion of the return of the Kingdom of Morocco to the African Union
[...]
Lyrics of the Ambassador of the Moroccan Song
Musab al - Anzi
Melodies
Radwan Al Diri
[...]
special thanks
To His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Ismail bin Abdullah bin Mohammed V, God's mercy and mercy on him for his moral support and guidance to allow this national and artistic work to mark the return of the Kingdom Morocco to the African Union
Directed by
Faisal Al-Halimi
God is the king's home
[...]
*****
INFORMATION ABOUT MOROCCAN SINGER JANNAT
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jannat
"Jannat Mahid (Arabic: جنات مهيد) (born January 6, 1986), known by her stage name Jannat, is one of the youngest female Arab artists to have graced the Middle East music scene. Born in Morocco and presently living in Egypt, Jannat sings in almost all Arabic dialects. Jannat is well known for her incredible voice and her love for Arabic classics, particularly Oum Khaltoum she admires since her childhood.
[...]
Career
From that date Jannat turned to a professional singer and released her first song "Efhamny Habiby" in 2004 which was a video clip also. At that time producer Ahmed Desouki was seeking new voices. He liked Jannat voice and signed a contract with her in 2005. From that day Jannat started to prepare for her new album Elli Beny W Benak to be issued in 2006. The preparation of the album took a year and half due to the desire of the producer to achieve success with the album. Jannat recorded 21 songs but the album contained only 10 songs. The album has achieved success and she made a video clip for the song "Aktar Min Sana".[3] The album songs were a collection of romance, sad, and songs that describes women's powerful feelings.[4]
Jannat released other albums with the label Good News 4 Music : GoodNews4Music Vol.1 and Hob Emtelak which was a great success in Egypt and in the Arab world. Jannat was then ranked as one of the best upcoming artists in the Middle East
In 2012, Jannat signed with the famous Arabic pop label Rotana for a three albums deal. At the time of signing, she already produced herself the first album Hob Gamed which gave Jannat international success and her hit "El Badi Azlam" along "Hob Gamed"[5] made her travel many countries. She made several concerts like "Hala Febrayer" in Koweit or "Souq Waqif" in Doha. Hob Gamed was also a bestseller and had significant selling figures in Egypt, Saudi Arabia...
Jannat will release in 2016, her fourth studio album Be Nafs El Kalam.[6]"
****
INFORMATION ABOUT TOLOGESE MUSIC GROUP TOOFAN
From https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toofan&prev=search
"Toofan is a musical group founded in 2005 in Togo whose instrumental is a new concept in West African music: the "cool-catché". The dance itself seems simple, but it is a mixture of neck movements accompanied by a presentation of the feet opposite to the logic imposed by the movements of the neck. This concept was the subject of a report by France 24 as summer music. More precisely, it is the clip That magik benefited from this.
The group is also known for a new concept, the "gweta", appeared in 2013 and whose gesture aims to "dodge the jealous".
The group is composed of Masta Just and Barabas. He composed the anthem of the African Cup of Nations football 2012 2 and 2015.
Biography
They are childhood friends who grew up together: Master Just (Fatowou Kossivi) group mover and Barabas said "The Magician" (Blaise Mensah) toaster and rapper of the group. Being three at the beginning of their career, they are now two.
The Toofan export their music beyond West Africa: in the years 2010 they gave concerts in France , Germany and the United States of America , among others. In 2014 they toured France."
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS SONG'S YOUTUBE DISCUSSION THREAD
"MaMa Africa" by Jannat Mahid featuring Toofan is another collaboration between singers in two or more African nations.
As of 9/8/2017 at 11:19 AM there were a total number of 5,752,135 views for this video. There were also a total number of 4,994 comments in this video's discussion thread. It should be noted that this is only one of several YouTube videos for this same song.
By far the most often used language for the comments in this discussion thread is Arabic and French is the second most frequently used language. There are a few comments in Spanish, a few in English, and a few in some other language/s.
Because I was curious, I used Google's translation feature on random Arabic comments and random French comments from this discussion thread. Many of those comments in Arabic and French praise the nation of Morocco and/or praise the song itself or praise the Moroccan singer Jannat. A considerable number of comments in this discussion thread also give respects to "mama Africa", and acknowledge and honor Morocco as an African nation.
Some comments voiced political and/or sociological opinions.
A number of comments referred to the Maghreb. Here's information about the Maghreb from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maghreb
The Maghreb (/ˈmæɡrɪb/[1] or /ˈmʌɡrəb/; literally "west, sunset";[1] Arabic: المغرب al-Maɣréb; Berber: Tamazɣa, ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵗⴰ; historically known as the Barbary Coast or Barbary States, (derived from Berber),[2][3] and the Land of the Atlas (derived from the Atlas Mountains)[4]) or the Greater Maghreb (Arabic: المغرب الكبير al-Maghrib al-Kabīr), is usually defined as much or most of the region of western North Africa or Northwest Africa, west of Egypt. The traditional definition as the region including the Atlas Mountains and the coastal plains of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, was later superseded, especially following the 1989 formation of the Arab Maghreb Union (اتحاد المغرب العربي), by the inclusion of Mauritania and of the disputed territory of Western Sahara (mostly controlled by Morocco). During the Al-Andalus era in Spain (711–1492), the Maghreb's inhabitants, Maghrebis, were known as "Moors".[5] Morocco also transliterates into Arabic as "al-Maghreb" (The Maghreb).
Before the establishment of modern nation states in the region during the mid-20th century, Maghreb most commonly referred to a smaller area between the Atlas Mountains in the south and the Mediterranean Sea, often also including eastern Libya, but not modern Mauritania. As recently as the late 19th century it was used to refer to the Western Mediterranean region of coastal North Africa in general, and to Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia in particular.[6]
-snip-
I didn't find any comments in either of the two discussion threads of this song that I skimmed which specifically mentioned the Togolese group Toofan.
-snip-
The following section of this post provide selected examples of the comments in Arabic or in French that I randomly read (via Google translate). The Google translation from Arabic or from French to English is given below the quote. Any words that may also be given in brackets are my addition to that Google translation to better conform with standard American English.
All of these comments are from 2017 These comments aren't consecutive order, but are presented from the oldest to the newest comments. Numbers have been assigned for referencing purposes only.
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcWwV_VQuTc
Fadwa Mouzoun
1. "نقولها بصوت عالي مغربية يا صحرا 👑❤"
-snip-
Saying loud Moroccan, O desert of the world
**
2. العكايشي
"تحية من العراق الجريح الى اهل المغرب الحبيب"
-snip-
"Hamad Al-Akashi
Greetings from wounded Iraq to the beloved people of Morocco"
**
3. وطن
"تحية من فلسطين لأهل المغرب اطيب شعب بحبكم 😘😘😘😘😘
-snip-
Tears of a homeland
Live from Palestine to the people of Morocco, the best people of your love"
**
Reply
4. Amir Amro
"
حبنا لفلسطين ولد فينا فطري و ما عندوش حودود ولا شروط تحياتنا لدولة فلسطين حره و مستقله وعاصمتها القدس العربي الإسلامي الشريف
-snip-
"Our love for Palestine was born in us Fattri and Maadosh Houdoud and the conditions of our greetings to the state of Palestine is free and independent and its capital is the Arab Islamic Holy Jerusalem"
**
5. uen yogeali
"mama Africa 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖"
**
6. AR Mian
"Wow, lovely song, viva Morocco <3"
**
7. M. Eisa
"التحية للشعب المغربي mama Africa plz unite"
**
8. Madasha Barbarta SOMALILAND
"تحيه من المغرب لكل دول افريقيا 53 دوله . القاره السمراء في القمه. 10/10 افريقيا . حضارتنا أقدم من العرب عشان كذا نحن افريقا وبس."
-snip-
"Living from Morocco to all African countries 53 countries. Black Cap at the top. 10/10 Africa. Our civilization is older than the Arabs because we are Africa and we are.
Hey Salaam, the voices of Moroccans are singing all kinds of songs"
**
9. yasin morif
"I from in Mali I love this music I love Morocco"
**
Reply
10. shooox enji
"From Morocco , I love Mali ❤"
**
11. المغرب ابو الدنيا
"قريبا في الفين وعشرين المغرب سيصبح ملك للمهاجرين الافارقة ونحن سنكون لاجئيين وغرباء في بلدنا والمغرب اصولو امازيغية عن اي افريقيا تتحدتون موقعنا في افريقيا صحيح لكن لا علاقة لنا بهم الا بعض القبائل في جنوب المملكة والا لكنا كلنا سوود كفو عن الكدب فنصف المغاربة ان لم اقل اغلبهم امازيغ والباقي اصولهم عربية وافريقية"
-snip-
Morocco Abu Dhabi
"Morocco will soon become the property of African migrants. We will be refugees and strangers in our country and Morocco, Amazigh fundamentalists of any African country that unite our site in Africa, but we have nothing to do with them except some tribes in the south of the Kingdom. Otherwise we would all be sued for the Kurds. Half the Moroccans, if not the majority Amazigh and the rest their origins are Arab and African"
**
12. brahim lekmouri brahim lekmouri
"بالمناسبة المغاربة لايسبون الجزائريين بل يسبون النظام الغاشم الذي انفق كل ثرواته للتقسيم بلادنا هههه انه لايعلم ان المغرب جسد واحد والصحراء عضو من هدا الجسد والعاصمة الرباط هي قلب هدا الجسد وجلالة الملك هو دم هدا البلد وادا اشتكى عضو من هدا البلد تداعى له سائر هدا البلد ارجوكم اخوتي الجزائريين افهمونا ولو لمرة واحدة والله واقسم بالله لا فرنسا ولا امريكا ولا ولا يمكنها ان تنتزع منا احد اعضائنا والدي هو الصحراء انها مسألة وجود وايست مسألة حدود"
-snip-
"By the way, Moroccans are not Libyans Algerians, but they blame the brutal regime, which spent all its resources to divide our country. Haha, it does not know that Morocco is one body, and Sahara is a member of this body and the capital. Rabat is the heart of this body and the majesty of the king is the blood of this country and a member of this country has complained about this country. My brothers Algerians understand us even once and God swear by God, neither France nor America nor can it take away one of our members. My father is the Sahara. It is a matter of existence."
**
13. ahmed taki
"We are back to Africa. Despite Egypt, Tunisia, Mauritania and Algeria, I am talking here about governments, not people"
**
14. rihab ch
"Je suis MAROCAINE أنا إفريقية mama africa"
-snip-
"I am Moroccan I am African mama africa."
**
15. Yasmine el atrassi
"Africa tous unis"
-snip-
"Africa all united"
**
16. nina simsim
"Je l écouté presque chaque jour c est une fierté non seulement pour le Maroc mais pour toute l Afrique encore une fois bravo pour toute l équipe."
-snip-
"I listen to it almost every day is a pride not only for Morocco but for all Africa once again congratulations for the whole team."
**
17. Dank j. TrumPEPE
"للأسف هذا مجرد هراء ففي الواقع يتعرض السود بمغربنا الحبيب للتمييز العرقي و التعنيف الجسدي والنفسي من طرف عدد هائل من المغاربة العنصريين الذين يشوهون صورة بلادهم كل من يقطن في هذا البلد أعتبره مغربيا بالرغم عن اختلافاته ع-dnip-ني"
-snip-
Unfortunately, this is nonsense. In fact, the blacks in our beloved Morocco are subjected to ethnic discrimination and physical and psychological abuse by a huge number of racist Moroccans who distort their image. Everyone who lives in this country is considered a Moroccan despite his differences about me
-snip-
Notice this approximation of the name of the current president of the USA.
**
18. Channel warrior
"A great greeting from Egypt, but I wish you a very good greeting to the Arab Maghreb"
**
Reply
19. Sadak Dafak
"تيعيش النمغرب اﻷخة من المغرب"
-snip-
"Long live the Maghreb brother from Morocco"
**
20. guercif music plus
"VIVE MAROC VIVE AFRICA"
-snip-
[Long] Live Morocco [Long] Live Africa
**
21. yosra zelaoui
"que vive mon pays morroco!!!! i love you"
-snip-
"[long live] my country Mococco I Love you."
**
22. maroc national team 4
"Moroccan ď African origin puré africain"
-snip-
"Moroccan of African origin, pure African"
**
23. Adama fofana
"Très cool le Afrique est un et indivisible"
-snip-
"It's very cool. Africa is united.
**
24.arangy dalo
"تحية طيبة من السودان one Love"
-snip-
"Greetings from Sudan One Love"
**
25. Arafat Khalifa
"+Simo Romario االمغرب العربي رغم انف كل معارض"
-snip-
"+ Simo Romario Maghreb despite the nose of all exhibitions"
**
Reply
26. Simo Romario
"عرفات خليفة لك الحق أن تسميه ما شئت. ولكن في الدستور المغربي اسمه المغرب الكبير. وأنا شخصيا مغربي لا أتحدث للأسف إلا اللغة العربية لأن النظام التعليمي المغربي القديم لم يكن بعد يدرس الأمازيغية لكن اللغة الأمازيغية اليوم هي لغة رسمية ومكون أساسي للهوية المغربية نفس الشيء بالنسبة للدول الأخرى الجزائر تونس ليبيا .ولهذا سمي بالمغرب الكبير."
-snip-
"Arafat has the right to call him whatever you want. But in the Moroccan constitution its name is Morocco. I am a Moroccan. I speak only Arabic because the old Moroccan educational system did not yet study Amazigh, but Amazigh language today is an official language and a basic component of Moroccan identity. The same is true for other countries, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and so called Morocco."
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post provides information about the Moroccan singer Jannat Mehid and information about the Togolese duo Toofan.
This post also showcases the official video for "MaMa Africa" by Jannat featuring Toofan and also includes a few selected comments from that video's discussion thread.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to and all those who are featured in this song and its video. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Jannat ft. Toofan - MaMa Africa 2017 | جنات - ماما افريكا
Jannat Mahid, Published on Jan 29, 2017
Google translate of Arabic summary to English:
By the way dear to the hearts of all Moroccans, we commend you for this artwork on the occasion of the return of the Kingdom of Morocco to the African Union
[...]
Lyrics of the Ambassador of the Moroccan Song
Musab al - Anzi
Melodies
Radwan Al Diri
[...]
special thanks
To His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Ismail bin Abdullah bin Mohammed V, God's mercy and mercy on him for his moral support and guidance to allow this national and artistic work to mark the return of the Kingdom Morocco to the African Union
Directed by
Faisal Al-Halimi
God is the king's home
[...]
*****
INFORMATION ABOUT MOROCCAN SINGER JANNAT
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jannat
"Jannat Mahid (Arabic: جنات مهيد) (born January 6, 1986), known by her stage name Jannat, is one of the youngest female Arab artists to have graced the Middle East music scene. Born in Morocco and presently living in Egypt, Jannat sings in almost all Arabic dialects. Jannat is well known for her incredible voice and her love for Arabic classics, particularly Oum Khaltoum she admires since her childhood.
[...]
Career
From that date Jannat turned to a professional singer and released her first song "Efhamny Habiby" in 2004 which was a video clip also. At that time producer Ahmed Desouki was seeking new voices. He liked Jannat voice and signed a contract with her in 2005. From that day Jannat started to prepare for her new album Elli Beny W Benak to be issued in 2006. The preparation of the album took a year and half due to the desire of the producer to achieve success with the album. Jannat recorded 21 songs but the album contained only 10 songs. The album has achieved success and she made a video clip for the song "Aktar Min Sana".[3] The album songs were a collection of romance, sad, and songs that describes women's powerful feelings.[4]
Jannat released other albums with the label Good News 4 Music : GoodNews4Music Vol.1 and Hob Emtelak which was a great success in Egypt and in the Arab world. Jannat was then ranked as one of the best upcoming artists in the Middle East
In 2012, Jannat signed with the famous Arabic pop label Rotana for a three albums deal. At the time of signing, she already produced herself the first album Hob Gamed which gave Jannat international success and her hit "El Badi Azlam" along "Hob Gamed"[5] made her travel many countries. She made several concerts like "Hala Febrayer" in Koweit or "Souq Waqif" in Doha. Hob Gamed was also a bestseller and had significant selling figures in Egypt, Saudi Arabia...
Jannat will release in 2016, her fourth studio album Be Nafs El Kalam.[6]"
****
INFORMATION ABOUT TOLOGESE MUSIC GROUP TOOFAN
From https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toofan&prev=search
"Toofan is a musical group founded in 2005 in Togo whose instrumental is a new concept in West African music: the "cool-catché". The dance itself seems simple, but it is a mixture of neck movements accompanied by a presentation of the feet opposite to the logic imposed by the movements of the neck. This concept was the subject of a report by France 24 as summer music. More precisely, it is the clip That magik benefited from this.
The group is also known for a new concept, the "gweta", appeared in 2013 and whose gesture aims to "dodge the jealous".
The group is composed of Masta Just and Barabas. He composed the anthem of the African Cup of Nations football 2012 2 and 2015.
Biography
They are childhood friends who grew up together: Master Just (Fatowou Kossivi) group mover and Barabas said "The Magician" (Blaise Mensah) toaster and rapper of the group. Being three at the beginning of their career, they are now two.
The Toofan export their music beyond West Africa: in the years 2010 they gave concerts in France , Germany and the United States of America , among others. In 2014 they toured France."
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS SONG'S YOUTUBE DISCUSSION THREAD
"MaMa Africa" by Jannat Mahid featuring Toofan is another collaboration between singers in two or more African nations.
As of 9/8/2017 at 11:19 AM there were a total number of 5,752,135 views for this video. There were also a total number of 4,994 comments in this video's discussion thread. It should be noted that this is only one of several YouTube videos for this same song.
By far the most often used language for the comments in this discussion thread is Arabic and French is the second most frequently used language. There are a few comments in Spanish, a few in English, and a few in some other language/s.
Because I was curious, I used Google's translation feature on random Arabic comments and random French comments from this discussion thread. Many of those comments in Arabic and French praise the nation of Morocco and/or praise the song itself or praise the Moroccan singer Jannat. A considerable number of comments in this discussion thread also give respects to "mama Africa", and acknowledge and honor Morocco as an African nation.
Some comments voiced political and/or sociological opinions.
A number of comments referred to the Maghreb. Here's information about the Maghreb from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maghreb
The Maghreb (/ˈmæɡrɪb/[1] or /ˈmʌɡrəb/; literally "west, sunset";[1] Arabic: المغرب al-Maɣréb; Berber: Tamazɣa, ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵗⴰ; historically known as the Barbary Coast or Barbary States, (derived from Berber),[2][3] and the Land of the Atlas (derived from the Atlas Mountains)[4]) or the Greater Maghreb (Arabic: المغرب الكبير al-Maghrib al-Kabīr), is usually defined as much or most of the region of western North Africa or Northwest Africa, west of Egypt. The traditional definition as the region including the Atlas Mountains and the coastal plains of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, was later superseded, especially following the 1989 formation of the Arab Maghreb Union (اتحاد المغرب العربي), by the inclusion of Mauritania and of the disputed territory of Western Sahara (mostly controlled by Morocco). During the Al-Andalus era in Spain (711–1492), the Maghreb's inhabitants, Maghrebis, were known as "Moors".[5] Morocco also transliterates into Arabic as "al-Maghreb" (The Maghreb).
Before the establishment of modern nation states in the region during the mid-20th century, Maghreb most commonly referred to a smaller area between the Atlas Mountains in the south and the Mediterranean Sea, often also including eastern Libya, but not modern Mauritania. As recently as the late 19th century it was used to refer to the Western Mediterranean region of coastal North Africa in general, and to Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia in particular.[6]
-snip-
I didn't find any comments in either of the two discussion threads of this song that I skimmed which specifically mentioned the Togolese group Toofan.
-snip-
The following section of this post provide selected examples of the comments in Arabic or in French that I randomly read (via Google translate). The Google translation from Arabic or from French to English is given below the quote. Any words that may also be given in brackets are my addition to that Google translation to better conform with standard American English.
All of these comments are from 2017 These comments aren't consecutive order, but are presented from the oldest to the newest comments. Numbers have been assigned for referencing purposes only.
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcWwV_VQuTc
Fadwa Mouzoun
1. "نقولها بصوت عالي مغربية يا صحرا 👑❤"
-snip-
Saying loud Moroccan, O desert of the world
**
2. العكايشي
"تحية من العراق الجريح الى اهل المغرب الحبيب"
-snip-
"Hamad Al-Akashi
Greetings from wounded Iraq to the beloved people of Morocco"
**
3. وطن
"تحية من فلسطين لأهل المغرب اطيب شعب بحبكم 😘😘😘😘😘
-snip-
Tears of a homeland
Live from Palestine to the people of Morocco, the best people of your love"
**
Reply
4. Amir Amro
"
حبنا لفلسطين ولد فينا فطري و ما عندوش حودود ولا شروط تحياتنا لدولة فلسطين حره و مستقله وعاصمتها القدس العربي الإسلامي الشريف
-snip-
"Our love for Palestine was born in us Fattri and Maadosh Houdoud and the conditions of our greetings to the state of Palestine is free and independent and its capital is the Arab Islamic Holy Jerusalem"
**
5. uen yogeali
"mama Africa 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖"
**
6. AR Mian
"Wow, lovely song, viva Morocco <3"
**
7. M. Eisa
"التحية للشعب المغربي mama Africa plz unite"
**
8. Madasha Barbarta SOMALILAND
"تحيه من المغرب لكل دول افريقيا 53 دوله . القاره السمراء في القمه. 10/10 افريقيا . حضارتنا أقدم من العرب عشان كذا نحن افريقا وبس."
-snip-
"Living from Morocco to all African countries 53 countries. Black Cap at the top. 10/10 Africa. Our civilization is older than the Arabs because we are Africa and we are.
Hey Salaam, the voices of Moroccans are singing all kinds of songs"
**
9. yasin morif
"I from in Mali I love this music I love Morocco"
**
Reply
10. shooox enji
"From Morocco , I love Mali ❤"
**
11. المغرب ابو الدنيا
"قريبا في الفين وعشرين المغرب سيصبح ملك للمهاجرين الافارقة ونحن سنكون لاجئيين وغرباء في بلدنا والمغرب اصولو امازيغية عن اي افريقيا تتحدتون موقعنا في افريقيا صحيح لكن لا علاقة لنا بهم الا بعض القبائل في جنوب المملكة والا لكنا كلنا سوود كفو عن الكدب فنصف المغاربة ان لم اقل اغلبهم امازيغ والباقي اصولهم عربية وافريقية"
-snip-
Morocco Abu Dhabi
"Morocco will soon become the property of African migrants. We will be refugees and strangers in our country and Morocco, Amazigh fundamentalists of any African country that unite our site in Africa, but we have nothing to do with them except some tribes in the south of the Kingdom. Otherwise we would all be sued for the Kurds. Half the Moroccans, if not the majority Amazigh and the rest their origins are Arab and African"
**
12. brahim lekmouri brahim lekmouri
"بالمناسبة المغاربة لايسبون الجزائريين بل يسبون النظام الغاشم الذي انفق كل ثرواته للتقسيم بلادنا هههه انه لايعلم ان المغرب جسد واحد والصحراء عضو من هدا الجسد والعاصمة الرباط هي قلب هدا الجسد وجلالة الملك هو دم هدا البلد وادا اشتكى عضو من هدا البلد تداعى له سائر هدا البلد ارجوكم اخوتي الجزائريين افهمونا ولو لمرة واحدة والله واقسم بالله لا فرنسا ولا امريكا ولا ولا يمكنها ان تنتزع منا احد اعضائنا والدي هو الصحراء انها مسألة وجود وايست مسألة حدود"
-snip-
"By the way, Moroccans are not Libyans Algerians, but they blame the brutal regime, which spent all its resources to divide our country. Haha, it does not know that Morocco is one body, and Sahara is a member of this body and the capital. Rabat is the heart of this body and the majesty of the king is the blood of this country and a member of this country has complained about this country. My brothers Algerians understand us even once and God swear by God, neither France nor America nor can it take away one of our members. My father is the Sahara. It is a matter of existence."
**
13. ahmed taki
"We are back to Africa. Despite Egypt, Tunisia, Mauritania and Algeria, I am talking here about governments, not people"
**
14. rihab ch
"Je suis MAROCAINE أنا إفريقية mama africa"
-snip-
"I am Moroccan I am African mama africa."
**
15. Yasmine el atrassi
"Africa tous unis"
-snip-
"Africa all united"
**
16. nina simsim
"Je l écouté presque chaque jour c est une fierté non seulement pour le Maroc mais pour toute l Afrique encore une fois bravo pour toute l équipe."
-snip-
"I listen to it almost every day is a pride not only for Morocco but for all Africa once again congratulations for the whole team."
**
17. Dank j. TrumPEPE
"للأسف هذا مجرد هراء ففي الواقع يتعرض السود بمغربنا الحبيب للتمييز العرقي و التعنيف الجسدي والنفسي من طرف عدد هائل من المغاربة العنصريين الذين يشوهون صورة بلادهم كل من يقطن في هذا البلد أعتبره مغربيا بالرغم عن اختلافاته ع-dnip-ني"
-snip-
Unfortunately, this is nonsense. In fact, the blacks in our beloved Morocco are subjected to ethnic discrimination and physical and psychological abuse by a huge number of racist Moroccans who distort their image. Everyone who lives in this country is considered a Moroccan despite his differences about me
-snip-
Notice this approximation of the name of the current president of the USA.
**
18. Channel warrior
"A great greeting from Egypt, but I wish you a very good greeting to the Arab Maghreb"
**
Reply
19. Sadak Dafak
"تيعيش النمغرب اﻷخة من المغرب"
-snip-
"Long live the Maghreb brother from Morocco"
**
20. guercif music plus
"VIVE MAROC VIVE AFRICA"
-snip-
[Long] Live Morocco [Long] Live Africa
**
21. yosra zelaoui
"que vive mon pays morroco!!!! i love you"
-snip-
"[long live] my country Mococco I Love you."
**
22. maroc national team 4
"Moroccan ď African origin puré africain"
-snip-
"Moroccan of African origin, pure African"
**
23. Adama fofana
"Très cool le Afrique est un et indivisible"
-snip-
"It's very cool. Africa is united.
**
24.arangy dalo
"تحية طيبة من السودان one Love"
-snip-
"Greetings from Sudan One Love"
**
25. Arafat Khalifa
"+Simo Romario االمغرب العربي رغم انف كل معارض"
-snip-
"+ Simo Romario Maghreb despite the nose of all exhibitions"
**
Reply
26. Simo Romario
"عرفات خليفة لك الحق أن تسميه ما شئت. ولكن في الدستور المغربي اسمه المغرب الكبير. وأنا شخصيا مغربي لا أتحدث للأسف إلا اللغة العربية لأن النظام التعليمي المغربي القديم لم يكن بعد يدرس الأمازيغية لكن اللغة الأمازيغية اليوم هي لغة رسمية ومكون أساسي للهوية المغربية نفس الشيء بالنسبة للدول الأخرى الجزائر تونس ليبيا .ولهذا سمي بالمغرب الكبير."
-snip-
"Arafat has the right to call him whatever you want. But in the Moroccan constitution its name is Morocco. I am a Moroccan. I speak only Arabic because the old Moroccan educational system did not yet study Amazigh, but Amazigh language today is an official language and a basic component of Moroccan identity. The same is true for other countries, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and so called Morocco."
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Five Videos Of Traditional Togolese, West Africa Agbadza Music & Dance
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases five videos of traditional Agbadza music & dance From Togo, West Africa. Information about Agbadza rhythm and selected comments from these video's discussion threads are also included in this post.
Agbadza music is also traditionally found in the West African nations of Benin, Ghana and the Ivory Coast.
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 featured in these videos. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks the publishers of these video on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT AGBADZA MUSIC
From ttp://www.african-music-safari.com/agbadza.html "The Famous Ewe Rhythm And Dance"
"It's probably Agbadza, if there's only one traditional rhythm you remember upon return from Ghana or Togo. To tourists without any knowledge of Ewe drumming, this fun piece is simply known as "the chicken dance". You'll know why when you see it!...
Today, Agbadza is a very popular recreational dance. It entertains people at funerals, weddings and any other get-together or party. Even the modern bands in the cities like to incorporate this fun rhythm into their music.
Some traditional Ewe dances are reserved to people of a certain age group or religion. But any child, woman or great-grandfather is welcome to dance Agbadza.
The name itself means something like "for everybody". If you ever get a chance to attend a traditional Ewe event, even you, a foreign visitor, will be expected to dance."...
****
From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUfU9V3hS-8 "Ewe Abgadza dance from Ghana's Volta Region"; comment from video publisher katameemee (Nov 21, 2010)
..."the Agbadza, is traditionally a war dance but is now used in social and recreational situations to celebrate peace. War dances are sometimes used as military training exercises, with signals from the lead drum ordering the warriors to move ahead, to the right, go down, etc. These dances also helped in preparing the warriors for battle and upon their return from fighting they would act out their deeds in battle through their movements in the dance."
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/08/agbadja-music-dance-gbessi-zolawadji.html for more information about and examples of Agbadja music.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These videos are presented in chronological order with the oldest dated example given first.
Example #1: TOGO 02 La danse traditionnelle des Ewés
TOGOISBACK, Uploaded on Sep 18, 2009
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
agbodzalou, 2009
Oh Agbadza togolais!!! Belle tradition du terroir.
-snip-
Oh Agbadza!~ The beautiful dance of the land.
**
sweetfacebf, 2010
"i miss home. Ewes forever!"
**
MrAFORCEONE,2011
"You need to be there to really feel this music. The sounds that come from the big drums it's like thunder.It makes it feel like your heart heart is dropping off your chest. Amazing !!!!Unbelievable !!!"
**
Mapassion5, 2011
La belle danse du terroire. j'adore. en meme temps un veritable sport. assieve na mi loooo!
-snip-
Partially translated from French to English:
The beautiful dance of the territory. I love it. At the same time, it is an actual sport.
Assieve na mi looo!
**
Samfly Djallo, 2013
"Ah! Vraiment L'Afrique c'est la joie, c'est la communaute, la Cadence, le respect de la culture.
Tres Tres Beau ca."
-snip-
Google translate from French to English
Ah! Africa really is joy, it is the community, Cadence, respect for culture.
it [is] Very, very beautiful .
****
Example #2: Havinyona Habɔbɔ - Miwɔe ne nyo (Agbadza)
Mawuakpe, Uploaded on Jan 22, 2011
Danse et chant folklorique
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
TheCameroonianGirl15, 2012
"What language?"
**
Reply
sibisaba, 2013
"This language is called Ewe. It is spoken in Ghana, Togo and Benin."
**
Amavi Adenyo, 2012
"davi i love you soo much , keep on , you have nice voice ewe from togo beatifuil home alot......."
**
komi yovo, 2013
"C'est notre essence,ce qui fait de nous Africains. C'est la pure et simple tradition,nos valeurs,notre etre,elle vaut plus que l'or.Sa voix n'a subie aucune amplification classique.Je suis fier d'etre un digne fils de ce continent qu'appartenait ces creatures au voix de qualite indescriptible. Attention!!! ce n'est pas une chanson et danse religieuse.C'est la tradition,la richesse de l'Afrique.Que Dieu benisse l'Afrique notre mere.
This is our essence, what makes us Africans. This is pure and simple tradition, our values, our being, it is worth more than or.Sa voice has suffered no amplification classique.Je am proud to be a worthy son of this continent belonged these creatures the indescribable quality voice. Warning!!! this is not a song and dance religieuse.C'est tradition, the wealth of Afrique.Que God bless our mother Africa."
**
smyleskool EdRoberts, 2015
"This is the greatest musical combination sang by these two I have heard in our great dialect, ewe."
****
Example #3: Agbadza: Togo music and dance
gio12275, Published on Aug 12, 2012
Noel 2010 à Atite Kope, près d'Assahoun, Sud Togo.
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
attahaziawor, 2012
"Wonderful beat by the Ewes. Akpe loo"
****
Marc Arnauld, 2015
"i remenber my childhood i was involved in this"
**
Example #4: Agbadja Gadome, la meilleure!
La politique africaine en image, Published on Jun 5, 2015
La musique de la tradition togolaise de la region maritime, Togo. Agbadja est la danse preferee des togolais.
-snip-
Translated from French to English:
The music of the Togolese tradition of Maritime Region, Togo. Agbadja is the favorite Togolese dance.
****
Example #5: Agbadja Gadome, la musique traditionnelle.
La politique africaine en image Published on Jun 5, 2015
Agbadja Gadome, est la musique le la tradition togolaise, reconnu sur le plant international comme la chanson spirituelle qui fait appelle aux ancestraux.
-snip-
Google translate from French to English
Agbadja Gadome, music is the Togolese tradition, internationally recognized plant as spiritual song that makes calls to the ancestral.
-snip-
Comment from this video's discussion thread:
Simon Kokou, 2015
"Eblouissant de rythme, véritables artistes du folklore traditionnel Ewé ! C'est magnifique et je m'en régale. Et toi mon frère, ma soeur, qu'en dis-tu ? Honnêtement, ce groupe maîtrise bien les points harmonieux de la meilleure danse ancestrale des Ewé ! Enchanté je suis ! Vous êtes simplement bons. Merci de nous gratifier de cette musique à couper le souffle...Envoyez-en toujours, vous n'en ferez que des heureux dans ce monde pas facile à vivre... avec une telle mélodie !"
Dazzling rhythm, true artists of traditional folklore Ewe! It's beautiful and I enjoy me. And you my brother, my sister, what do you say? Honestly, this control group well harmonious points of the best ancestral dance of the Ewe! I am delighted! You are simply good. Thank you to grace us this breathtaking music ... Send always, you will make everyone happy in this world ... not easy to live with such melody!
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post showcases five videos of traditional Agbadza music & dance From Togo, West Africa. Information about Agbadza rhythm and selected comments from these video's discussion threads are also included in this post.
Agbadza music is also traditionally found in the West African nations of Benin, Ghana and the Ivory Coast.
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 featured in these videos. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks the publishers of these video on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT AGBADZA MUSIC
From ttp://www.african-music-safari.com/agbadza.html "The Famous Ewe Rhythm And Dance"
"It's probably Agbadza, if there's only one traditional rhythm you remember upon return from Ghana or Togo. To tourists without any knowledge of Ewe drumming, this fun piece is simply known as "the chicken dance". You'll know why when you see it!...
Today, Agbadza is a very popular recreational dance. It entertains people at funerals, weddings and any other get-together or party. Even the modern bands in the cities like to incorporate this fun rhythm into their music.
Some traditional Ewe dances are reserved to people of a certain age group or religion. But any child, woman or great-grandfather is welcome to dance Agbadza.
The name itself means something like "for everybody". If you ever get a chance to attend a traditional Ewe event, even you, a foreign visitor, will be expected to dance."...
****
From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUfU9V3hS-8 "Ewe Abgadza dance from Ghana's Volta Region"; comment from video publisher katameemee (Nov 21, 2010)
..."the Agbadza, is traditionally a war dance but is now used in social and recreational situations to celebrate peace. War dances are sometimes used as military training exercises, with signals from the lead drum ordering the warriors to move ahead, to the right, go down, etc. These dances also helped in preparing the warriors for battle and upon their return from fighting they would act out their deeds in battle through their movements in the dance."
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/08/agbadja-music-dance-gbessi-zolawadji.html for more information about and examples of Agbadja music.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These videos are presented in chronological order with the oldest dated example given first.
Example #1: TOGO 02 La danse traditionnelle des Ewés
TOGOISBACK, Uploaded on Sep 18, 2009
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
agbodzalou, 2009
Oh Agbadza togolais!!! Belle tradition du terroir.
-snip-
Oh Agbadza!~ The beautiful dance of the land.
**
sweetfacebf, 2010
"i miss home. Ewes forever!"
**
MrAFORCEONE,2011
"You need to be there to really feel this music. The sounds that come from the big drums it's like thunder.It makes it feel like your heart heart is dropping off your chest. Amazing !!!!Unbelievable !!!"
**
Mapassion5, 2011
La belle danse du terroire. j'adore. en meme temps un veritable sport. assieve na mi loooo!
-snip-
Partially translated from French to English:
The beautiful dance of the territory. I love it. At the same time, it is an actual sport.
Assieve na mi looo!
**
Samfly Djallo, 2013
"Ah! Vraiment L'Afrique c'est la joie, c'est la communaute, la Cadence, le respect de la culture.
Tres Tres Beau ca."
-snip-
Google translate from French to English
Ah! Africa really is joy, it is the community, Cadence, respect for culture.
it [is] Very, very beautiful .
****
Example #2: Havinyona Habɔbɔ - Miwɔe ne nyo (Agbadza)
Mawuakpe, Uploaded on Jan 22, 2011
Danse et chant folklorique
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
TheCameroonianGirl15, 2012
"What language?"
**
Reply
sibisaba, 2013
"This language is called Ewe. It is spoken in Ghana, Togo and Benin."
**
Amavi Adenyo, 2012
"davi i love you soo much , keep on , you have nice voice ewe from togo beatifuil home alot......."
**
komi yovo, 2013
"C'est notre essence,ce qui fait de nous Africains. C'est la pure et simple tradition,nos valeurs,notre etre,elle vaut plus que l'or.Sa voix n'a subie aucune amplification classique.Je suis fier d'etre un digne fils de ce continent qu'appartenait ces creatures au voix de qualite indescriptible. Attention!!! ce n'est pas une chanson et danse religieuse.C'est la tradition,la richesse de l'Afrique.Que Dieu benisse l'Afrique notre mere.
This is our essence, what makes us Africans. This is pure and simple tradition, our values, our being, it is worth more than or.Sa voice has suffered no amplification classique.Je am proud to be a worthy son of this continent belonged these creatures the indescribable quality voice. Warning!!! this is not a song and dance religieuse.C'est tradition, the wealth of Afrique.Que God bless our mother Africa."
**
smyleskool EdRoberts, 2015
"This is the greatest musical combination sang by these two I have heard in our great dialect, ewe."
****
Example #3: Agbadza: Togo music and dance
gio12275, Published on Aug 12, 2012
Noel 2010 à Atite Kope, près d'Assahoun, Sud Togo.
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
attahaziawor, 2012
"Wonderful beat by the Ewes. Akpe loo"
****
Marc Arnauld, 2015
"i remenber my childhood i was involved in this"
**
Example #4: Agbadja Gadome, la meilleure!
La politique africaine en image, Published on Jun 5, 2015
La musique de la tradition togolaise de la region maritime, Togo. Agbadja est la danse preferee des togolais.
-snip-
Translated from French to English:
The music of the Togolese tradition of Maritime Region, Togo. Agbadja is the favorite Togolese dance.
****
Example #5: Agbadja Gadome, la musique traditionnelle.
La politique africaine en image Published on Jun 5, 2015
Agbadja Gadome, est la musique le la tradition togolaise, reconnu sur le plant international comme la chanson spirituelle qui fait appelle aux ancestraux.
-snip-
Google translate from French to English
Agbadja Gadome, music is the Togolese tradition, internationally recognized plant as spiritual song that makes calls to the ancestral.
-snip-
Comment from this video's discussion thread:
Simon Kokou, 2015
"Eblouissant de rythme, véritables artistes du folklore traditionnel Ewé ! C'est magnifique et je m'en régale. Et toi mon frère, ma soeur, qu'en dis-tu ? Honnêtement, ce groupe maîtrise bien les points harmonieux de la meilleure danse ancestrale des Ewé ! Enchanté je suis ! Vous êtes simplement bons. Merci de nous gratifier de cette musique à couper le souffle...Envoyez-en toujours, vous n'en ferez que des heureux dans ce monde pas facile à vivre... avec une telle mélodie !"
Dazzling rhythm, true artists of traditional folklore Ewe! It's beautiful and I enjoy me. And you my brother, my sister, what do you say? Honestly, this control group well harmonious points of the best ancestral dance of the Ewe! I am delighted! You are simply good. Thank you to grace us this breathtaking music ... Send always, you will make everyone happy in this world ... not easy to live with such melody!
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Dancing Holding White Handkerchiefs In The Ewe Cultures Of Ghana & Togo (Borborbor/Akpesse dances)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post is Part II 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 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.
This post also provides videos of church some people in Ghana waving white handkerchiefs during church services.
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/2015/12/ghanaian-culture-waving-white.html for Part III of this series. Part III showcases the custom of waving white handkerchiefs in some Ghanaian churches.
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 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 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://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."
-snip-
Additional information about Borborbor dancing is included in Part I of this series.
****
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: AFRICANA BOBOBO AKPESSE DE TOTSIGAN A HEDJRANAWOE LOME TOGO POURQUOI PAS SUR FRANCE24 TOOFAN [Togo]
nestani365, Uploaded on Oct 17, 2009
Merci à ADOKOU MICHEL CHIC Responsable du groupe qui a permis l'enregistrement de cet extrait .Appréciez par vous même
-snip-
This video is also featured in a previous post that I published on Ghanaian Borborbo and Togolese Akpesse dances. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/borborbor-performances-togo-ghana.html for that post.
****
Example #2: Akpesse Bobobo- Dunenyo Bobobo , à Agomé-Kpodzi Kloto part4 [Togo]
Mawuakpe
-snip-
The group dances holding one white handkerchief and one yellow handkerchief. Also, I notice that there's a male dancer in the group.
Here are two comments from that video's discussion thread:
MC PAPA LINC, 2011
"CLASSIC TUNE FROM VOLTA REGION GHANA."
**
Cynthia Lilly, 2012
"This reminds me so much of our Bahamian Christmas and New Year festival Junkanoo. The drums vibrating through your entire body is so exillerating."
****
Example #3: Awudome Cultural Group Performance, Volta Region, Ghana (part 1 of 2)
Michael Frishkopf, Published on May 29, 2012
Staged by the Awudome Senior High School cultural group at the launching of the 50th Anniversary of the school. Performances of three dances--(1) Borborbor, (2) Awusa, (3) Sauma--are led by master drummer and dancer Kofi Avi. This is the first part of a two video series; see part 2 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itRImR... . (Awudome Senior High School, PO Box 33, Tsito, Volta Region, Ghana)
Borborbor is a recreational dance of the Ewe people in Ghana's Volta Region, blending traditional percussion rhythms with Christian themes and harmonies in the singing. Borborbor is often played at celebrations and funerals.
Awusa is performed by the Hausa people of northern Ghana, most of whom are Muslims. It is used to entertain at durbars and other festive occasions. Awusa is a royal dance and is depicted by the performers' dress while dancing.
Solma is a social dance performed by the people of the Northern territories of Ghana, especially by the Mossi. It is a very old dance that is performed during festivals.
****
Example #4: Borborbor GH
Johnson Hlordzi, Published on Dec 23, 2012
One of Ghana's popular music from the Volta Region. At a funeral at Osiabura
****
Example #5: Groupe bobobo VENONOGNO de ND de la Trinité, Afannoukopé, Lomé Togo
Ab Raph, Published on Jan 3, 2014
dance traditionnelle pour louer le seigneur; outil d'Evangélisation au Togo.
****
Example #6: DEDEDO BORBORBOR GROUP TADZEWU 1999 [Ghana]
A.R.S. LONDON, Published on Sep 21, 2014
****
Example #7: Hot, Real Borborbor Dance Performed at Dzolo [Ghana]
Labone Express, Published on Nov 24, 2014
Enjoy this real Borborbor Dance! You'll see in this video how people of the Volta Region, Ghana normally perform their Borborbor Dance. This performance was recorded November 2014 at Dzolo Kpuita during funeral of Architect Jerry Kofi Loglo.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post is Part II 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 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.
This post also provides videos of church some people in Ghana waving white handkerchiefs during church services.
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/2015/12/ghanaian-culture-waving-white.html for Part III of this series. Part III showcases the custom of waving white handkerchiefs in some Ghanaian churches.
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 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 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://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."
-snip-
Additional information about Borborbor dancing is included in Part I of this series.
****
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: AFRICANA BOBOBO AKPESSE DE TOTSIGAN A HEDJRANAWOE LOME TOGO POURQUOI PAS SUR FRANCE24 TOOFAN [Togo]
nestani365, Uploaded on Oct 17, 2009
Merci à ADOKOU MICHEL CHIC Responsable du groupe qui a permis l'enregistrement de cet extrait .Appréciez par vous même
-snip-
This video is also featured in a previous post that I published on Ghanaian Borborbo and Togolese Akpesse dances. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/borborbor-performances-togo-ghana.html for that post.
****
Example #2: Akpesse Bobobo- Dunenyo Bobobo , à Agomé-Kpodzi Kloto part4 [Togo]
Mawuakpe
-snip-
The group dances holding one white handkerchief and one yellow handkerchief. Also, I notice that there's a male dancer in the group.
Here are two comments from that video's discussion thread:
MC PAPA LINC, 2011
"CLASSIC TUNE FROM VOLTA REGION GHANA."
**
Cynthia Lilly, 2012
"This reminds me so much of our Bahamian Christmas and New Year festival Junkanoo. The drums vibrating through your entire body is so exillerating."
****
Example #3: Awudome Cultural Group Performance, Volta Region, Ghana (part 1 of 2)
Michael Frishkopf, Published on May 29, 2012
Staged by the Awudome Senior High School cultural group at the launching of the 50th Anniversary of the school. Performances of three dances--(1) Borborbor, (2) Awusa, (3) Sauma--are led by master drummer and dancer Kofi Avi. This is the first part of a two video series; see part 2 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itRImR... . (Awudome Senior High School, PO Box 33, Tsito, Volta Region, Ghana)
Borborbor is a recreational dance of the Ewe people in Ghana's Volta Region, blending traditional percussion rhythms with Christian themes and harmonies in the singing. Borborbor is often played at celebrations and funerals.
Awusa is performed by the Hausa people of northern Ghana, most of whom are Muslims. It is used to entertain at durbars and other festive occasions. Awusa is a royal dance and is depicted by the performers' dress while dancing.
Solma is a social dance performed by the people of the Northern territories of Ghana, especially by the Mossi. It is a very old dance that is performed during festivals.
****
Example #4: Borborbor GH
Johnson Hlordzi, Published on Dec 23, 2012
One of Ghana's popular music from the Volta Region. At a funeral at Osiabura
****
Example #5: Groupe bobobo VENONOGNO de ND de la Trinité, Afannoukopé, Lomé Togo
Ab Raph, Published on Jan 3, 2014
dance traditionnelle pour louer le seigneur; outil d'Evangélisation au Togo.
****
Example #6: DEDEDO BORBORBOR GROUP TADZEWU 1999 [Ghana]
A.R.S. LONDON, Published on Sep 21, 2014
****
Example #7: Hot, Real Borborbor Dance Performed at Dzolo [Ghana]
Labone Express, Published on Nov 24, 2014
Enjoy this real Borborbor Dance! You'll see in this video how people of the Volta Region, Ghana normally perform their Borborbor Dance. This performance was recorded November 2014 at Dzolo Kpuita during funeral of Architect Jerry Kofi Loglo.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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.
****
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)