WORKSHEET FOR TEACHERS | GHANA
THIS IS OUR FAVOURITE SONG
Music and dance are very important for the people of Ghana. Everywhere in cabins,
buses and during celebrations you hear music. The playing of the drum and also the
construction of the drum is an important instrument in traditional Ghanaian music.
There are many different kinds of drums. The “donno-drum” can be played from
both sides. Do you know the speaking drums? In olden times they were also called
bush drums. The people used them to communicate over far distances. The language is translated into drum beats.
Activity: Drumming
Drum your own rhythm alone or with other kids. You can knock on
the table, on the floor or against a door. Invent a drum language with
your friends!
Aside from the drums the traditional music encompasses other self-made instruments. In the south, rhythmic instruments such as rattles, gongs and cymbals play a
role. In the north the xylophone is often used.
Activity: Create your own instrument: Rattle (or Maraca)
What you need:
• An old light bulb
• Glue
• Old newspaper / coloured construction paper
How to do it:
1. Put newspaper on your work area.
2. With the help of an adult mix the glue.
3. Rip the newspaper/construction paper into little pieces and glue
many layers thick around the old light bulb.
4. Let the light bulb dry for a long time. When the light bulb is ready
you can throw it on the ground or on the table so that the glass
inside will completely break. If you want to, you can paint the
newspaper before breaking the glass.
© 2009 PRIX JEUNESSE
WORKSHEET FOR TEACHERS | GHANA
THIS IS OUR FAVOURITE SONG
The Highlife style came from traditional Ghanaian music and was developed at the
beginning of the 20th century.
Highlife/Hiplife
Highlife is a dance and music style, which was developed in the first
half of the 20th century. It mixes traditional music with elements of
jazz. At the end of the 20th century the style Hiplife was developed.
It is a mixture between Highlife music and Hip-Hop imported from
the USA.
The children from the Golden Age School in Abelempke sing the song “MoonlitNight”. Here is the song text:
NY{NTSELE NI EJE (Mondlit-Night)
NY{NTSELE NI EJE
W{ BA SHW}, W{ BA GBO
NY{NTSELE NI EJE
W{ BA SHW}, W{ BA GBO
© 2009 PRIX JEUNESSE
It’s Moonlit-Night
We’ll play till we are exhausted
It’s Moonlit-Night
We’ll play till we are exhausted