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Crossroads of People

AHEC took advantage of the Black History Month (2005) to organise a number of very educative workshops in some schools where the participants were given practical hands-on exposure to some aspects of the African cultures.

Audio-Visual Representation
The audio-visual representation which is about promoting the understanding of African culture beginning with some earliest African social practices through ancient African civilisation before the influx of Europeans and beginning slavery.
This comprised exploring 14th century history and culture of West Africa; people of the Gold Coast (Ghana) through ancient Africa civilisation to the present day. First and foremost, we explored the history behind drumming, music and dancing, its significance to the people, and their way of life before colonisation. Participants acquired knowledge of how knowledge and skills have been passed on from generation to generation and now spread all over across the world. They also learnt how some early African musical and dance traditions are linked to today’s music such as rap and jazz. There was also a re-enactment of the oral history and a documentary.

Naming Ceremony
This involved dramatic demonstrative performances of the naming ceremonies of new born babies. The Outdooring dramatisation was done in one African traditional language and interpreted by the workshop leader. The workshop leader then explained the various ways of choosing appropriate names for babies
The essential lessons here was that, the naming of babies among most Africans are serious events, and the rituals involved together with the names chosen have significant meanings. With the naming ceremony, participants joined in to take up roles of family members present at the Outdooring ceremony, partook in the water and ‘supposed’ wine used in naming the new arrival and also wanted to know what traditional birth-day they might be given were they born in Africa.

African Music & Dance Steps and their Meaning
The Adowa dance was performed. This dance was chosen because it is one that is full of meaning. Each gesture either communicates a word or tells a story. A comparison of modern day dance steps and gestures in hip-hop, rap music and tap dancing of old can be drawn from the movement of the hands and feet of the Adowa dance. After the first dance, participants delved into a discussion, which brought out the comparisons as well as differences. The dance was performed a second time and this time participants joined in.

Conclusion and Recommendations
The students especially expressed delight at and support for the suggestion that an African Resource Centre be set up to enable them to learn about African history and culture ie. drumming, music, dancing, costumes, etc. and information on every aspect of African history and culture would be made accessible to all those who are interested. Teachers at the schools also expressed interest in the project particularly the role play during the naming ceremony. It was felt that students concentrated fully because they were fascinated. It was suggested that African Children's Club work with the Music departments in the schools to teach the students the art of African drumming.

To download a copy of the full report click here.

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