Drumming and Dancing in Ghana - Sample range of dances and rhythms

CATO's Dancing and Drumming studies is an intensive workshops, tuition and performances in drumming, dance and singing with some of Ghana's finest musicians and dancers.
This programme focuses on African music making and its relationship with everyday life.

The students will be taught a range of dances and rhythms from the many ethnic groups that live in Ghana as well as dances and rhythms from some of the neighbouring countries in West Africa. Lessons can also be taken in other instruments like balafon (traditional wooden xylophone), moro and gonje (traditional stringed instruments), ashiwa (thumb piano), and atenteban (traditional bamboo flute).We can also offer a program of study in some of the more contemporary styles of Ghanaian music, like "highlife", using electric guitar, bass, drum kit etc.

In selecting the instruments for our study programme, consideration was given to its melodic and rhythmic capacities, its evocative or dramatic power, and its symbolic references. Each instrument has it's own tale to tell and has a unique and different sound. Students may choose from the following range of dances and rhythms.

Programme details >>

Drums:
A large variety of traditional African drums from the very tall drums played with sticks to the loud crack of the Djembe, to the tiny talking drums played tucked under the arms. Each drum has it's own tale to tell and has a unique and different sound.

Kpanlogo (ceremonial drum):
Ghana's most well-known drum has been used since 1962 in festivals, funerals and naming ceremonies. Today it is a popular instrument used in many styles of music, and can be found around the world in African dance bands.

Gome (West African drum):
When slaves were taken from West Africa 400 years ago, they brought the gome with them to Europe and the Americas. At this time, the gome disappeared from West Africa and it wasn't until the abolition of slavery and the return of the slaves to their homelands that the drum also came back to Africa. Most of the gome songs are sung in pidgin English, due to the British colonization of 150 years ago. The Ga men who worked on the railroad sang about the loneliness of life so far from their families. The drum itself is a box on which the musician sits, playing the head with his hands while his feet control the tone of the drum.

Balafon Marimba:
A wooden xylophone with large hanging gourds attached underneath it to amplify the sound

Shakere:
Shakers and hand rattles

Leg Shakers:
Shakers designed to strap on to the legs for greater percussive effect when dancing

Aslatua (snuff bottle):
These small gourds originally held snuff. By putting stones inside, tying two gourds together with string, then hitting the two rhythmically against each other, the aslatua has become a popular toy on the streets of Benin, Togo, Mali and Ghana.

Atenten-ben (bamboo flute):
Historically, the bamboo flute was used in dirges as part of funeral processions. Now, it is found in both contemporary and traditional styles of music

Djembe Drum:
The Djembe drum is the traditional communication drum of ancient West Africa. Before the modern telephone, the drum was the way villagers communicated with one another. Kings and Chiefs could bring their people together in an emergency with the beat of the drum. It's mostly used in modern Africa in music festival and cultural celebrations. This short Djembe drum is handmade and authentic.