The Politics and Dynamics of Court Music in Contemporary Ghana

This book examines court music as an institution sustained by a social arrangement which assigns responsibility for the maintenance of its traditions to households, and the manner in which it relates to the structure and organisation of chieftaincy of the Ahanta and the Nzema of the Western Region of Ghana which operates within the larger framework of Akan traditions. The social arrangement is made up of: (i). an elder of the court who serves as a liaison between the chief and the drummers (ii.) the chief drummer who serves as the conductor during performances, (iii) the supporting drummers and (iii). the players of the abântsia. These specially trained musicians are referred to respectively as akyerâmafo (drummers) and asokwafo (horn blowers).