-Today I had my very first lesson in traditional drumming. Lunaa (the chief's drummer) is my instructor and a very good one at that. I learned three of the basic rhythms; the Jera, the Damba Sua, and the Damba Manle. Any experts out there who specialize in traditional Ghanaian drumming will have to forgive me for the spellings, which I am sure are not correct. It was funny trying to keep the children away while we were working. They wanted to come right up and touch the drum, but had to settle for just dancing around us. However, some were curious to see this white guy playing a drum, but reluctant to come to close.
-Also, I have learned that with Lunaa's position of primary drummer comes the responsibility of keeping in his memory the history of cheifs. It is his job to serve as the database of lines of succession, historic polical moves, noteworthy controversies, and other such items of historical importance. It is interesting that this traditional dual assignment of musician-historian is my no means arbitrary. I have heard about this same connection in other cultures with oral history, but it takes on such depth to see it functioning in person. It is definitely subject matter for 'music and the brain' studies.
-I have finally received my custom-made sandals from the shop down the street. I am very happy with them, but I need to wear them around to break in the leather.
-I practiced my horn today and got quite a few knocks on the door from curious listeners. Fati also let me know that she heard music coming from my room and was very pleased because she just "loves music so much." Again, I realized then all the things I want to share while I'm here. Settling in to the new environment threw me off for a bit, but now I think that my horn will be going with me almost everywhere I go. I am especially looking forward to taking it along to the primary school visits.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Recovery
-After just 8 days in Africa, I have already suffered through and recovered from my first bout with digestive issues. To make a long story short (and less disgusting), I threw up in a church of all places. Everyone took very good care of me and I have had countless checks on my health today from many people.
-I was able to make it to a wedding celebration yesterday evening where I was able to see drumming groups playing and dancing with the guests out in public. It's interesting to see how the lightheartedness of the occasion is universal, no matter what style of ceremony, music, or culture. It was also entertaining to see the varying personalities come out in those who took turns dancing. There were definitely those who liked to show off and just be goofy.
-Last Friday I had the chance to see the Youth Home Cultural Group rehearsing their dancing and drumming routine. I think I will return soon to be instructed on how to participate. More on that surely to come (likely with some ridiculous pictures of me trying to dance).
-I was able to make it to a wedding celebration yesterday evening where I was able to see drumming groups playing and dancing with the guests out in public. It's interesting to see how the lightheartedness of the occasion is universal, no matter what style of ceremony, music, or culture. It was also entertaining to see the varying personalities come out in those who took turns dancing. There were definitely those who liked to show off and just be goofy.
-Last Friday I had the chance to see the Youth Home Cultural Group rehearsing their dancing and drumming routine. I think I will return soon to be instructed on how to participate. More on that surely to come (likely with some ridiculous pictures of me trying to dance).
Friday, June 20, 2008
I made it
I officially landed in Tamale on Wednesday morning and I am excited to finally make contact. The first few days in Accra were okay, but now that I have found my temporary home in Tamale, I am having a great time.
-First I want to thank everyone who supported me and helped me to get here. It could not have happened without you and I will do my best to keep everyone up on what's going on.
-I cannot express how welcoming and friendly everyone here has been. As I am learning and getting used to the culture that I have stepped into, they are being very patient and humorous with me. I hope that I can somehow repay them for the hospitality.
-I have spent the time so far doing some work in the Sister Cities of Tamale office and also making arrangements for other things that I'll be doing here. Goals here are to work on some accounting and also clean up the computer. This evening I'll be introduced to some local musicians and beginning my lessons in traditional music. The Lun-naa is serving as my guide and instructor.
-Last night Rashid discovered that I had a camera. We took some pictures including this one of myself, Titi, and Rashid.
There will be more.
-I had my first taste of local "Dagbane" food yesterday when Nash, the blacksmith and Lun-naa brought some tuubani to the palace. It is steamed bite-sized balls of bean flour, cassava flour, oil and spices. It was very good and they were very excited for me that I was started to really experience their culture and begin to know what it is like to be from the Dagbon region.
-The first day I arrived I showed off my horn (mainly because no one knew what could possibly be in that oddly shaped case). They were intrigued by it and I was equally amazed that I could pop out the notes that I did on zero warm up time. There will be more time for that.
-One last thing; from my room I can hear the kids of a nearby school singing during the day. It is a goal of mine to go to visit them and see if I can learn something.
-First I want to thank everyone who supported me and helped me to get here. It could not have happened without you and I will do my best to keep everyone up on what's going on.
-I cannot express how welcoming and friendly everyone here has been. As I am learning and getting used to the culture that I have stepped into, they are being very patient and humorous with me. I hope that I can somehow repay them for the hospitality.
-I have spent the time so far doing some work in the Sister Cities of Tamale office and also making arrangements for other things that I'll be doing here. Goals here are to work on some accounting and also clean up the computer. This evening I'll be introduced to some local musicians and beginning my lessons in traditional music. The Lun-naa is serving as my guide and instructor.
-Last night Rashid discovered that I had a camera. We took some pictures including this one of myself, Titi, and Rashid.
There will be more.
-I had my first taste of local "Dagbane" food yesterday when Nash, the blacksmith and Lun-naa brought some tuubani to the palace. It is steamed bite-sized balls of bean flour, cassava flour, oil and spices. It was very good and they were very excited for me that I was started to really experience their culture and begin to know what it is like to be from the Dagbon region.
-The first day I arrived I showed off my horn (mainly because no one knew what could possibly be in that oddly shaped case). They were intrigued by it and I was equally amazed that I could pop out the notes that I did on zero warm up time. There will be more time for that.
-One last thing; from my room I can hear the kids of a nearby school singing during the day. It is a goal of mine to go to visit them and see if I can learn something.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Preparing
Time is winding down as departure comes nearer. I will be leaving this Saturday afternoon, and until then I'm spending the week in prepatation. Everything is moving quickly.
-On Sunday I dropped off my horn to Norm Epley who is doing the cutting for me. Also, the case from Conn-Selmer came in last week. I think that taking the horn is one of the things I'm most looking forward to.
-I got everything squared away with my airplane ticket today, which really just means that I wrote the check to the travel agency. It was a pricey 11,000 miles.
-Also, I stopped by Ear X-tacy today to ask if they would be interested in supplying some donated CDs. It looks pretty promising, I just hope that it works out before the end of the week.
-I cannot give enough thanks to the church for the tremendous support that was shown for me yesterday. What I received yesterday will make a great help and will ease many concerns that I had. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers.
-On Sunday I dropped off my horn to Norm Epley who is doing the cutting for me. Also, the case from Conn-Selmer came in last week. I think that taking the horn is one of the things I'm most looking forward to.
-I got everything squared away with my airplane ticket today, which really just means that I wrote the check to the travel agency. It was a pricey 11,000 miles.
-Also, I stopped by Ear X-tacy today to ask if they would be interested in supplying some donated CDs. It looks pretty promising, I just hope that it works out before the end of the week.
-I cannot give enough thanks to the church for the tremendous support that was shown for me yesterday. What I received yesterday will make a great help and will ease many concerns that I had. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers.
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