Adowa

The instruments used in a classical Adowa performance are an atumpan pair of ‘talking’ drums, petia,
which is a tenor drum, apentemma, a supporting drum, dondo (hourglass drum), adawuraa (bell), trowa
(made of gourd rattles) and rhythmic handclapping. There are usually two donno (hourglass drums) and
one or two adawuraa in the ensemble

The costume for the dance; the dancers usually adorn themselves in Kente, a woven patterned cloth
made commonly the inhabitants of Bonwire a town in the Ashanti region. The occasion determines the
type of Kente to be worn, funerals are usually black and white since it is a moment of mourning and
grief. The cloth usually covers the breast area to the knee.

All other functions use colourful Kente cloth which shows royalty, wealth and status. The dancers adorn
themselves with beads and golden necklaces. The beads are put on the wrist, ankles, knees and the
neck. The ladies who have long hair cover them with black nets neatly wrapped on their hair. They also
put golden band around their head to make them standout. Those without the long hair go by the
Dansinkran style. This is when the dancers neatly dress their hair with black hair dye which usually make
them beautiful and presentable.

The Adowa dance was originally performed by the Ashantis during funerals and festivals but due to
modernity and cross-cultural adaptation, it can be performed by all ethnic groups in Ghana and even
outside Ghana. In recent times, it is performed not only at festivities and funerals but also at all kinds of
social occasions, state gatherings and other religious activities.

The Adowa songs come from the Ashanti people, sung in Twi, and are used as part of collective
mourning.

Mekϭ mampong dwa

Translation: I went to Mekϭ market, and death visited my house

Teacher: David Babyquaye, University of Ghana, Legon, Department of Theater and Dance

Call and Response:

Mekϭ mampong dwa

Mekϭ mampong dwa, me bae me bae

Obibe nhwe de ౬ owuo ay ౬ oo

Nana Ebo

**This is a heralding song to announce that a royal person is approaching

Teacher: David Babyquaye, University of Ghana, Legon, Department of Theater and Dance

Call and Response:

Nana ebo, Nana eba

Nana ebo, Nana eba

Eeeh … Nana ebo eeh eeh

Y ౬ n nyinaa Nana ebo ooo

Mogye no taa taa