terreiro de griôs

Nnwonkoro is a Female Song Tradition of the Akan of Ghana. "Abre" which is the beginning where the lead singer recites a long text without instrumental accompaniment or hand claps, sets the stage in this excerpt of Nnwonkoro performed by Onyame Akwan Nnwonkoro. According to the research and many conversations that I have conducted over the years, Nnwonkoro is an important music on the highest of levels with a poetic depth that some say are unparalleled. Only females sing these songs with men playing the accompanying musical instruments. Both male and female may dance to it's music. Now, a very brief background; There are several female song traditions of the Akan. Mmobomme songs were sang to Nyame (the supreme being) and the Abosum (deities) during war time, asking thus praying for the safe return from war of their men. Ose songs were sang when the men returned victorious from their battles. There are many other occasions in which women sing ose songs as the...