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Periodical issue | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | The Lunsi (drummers) of Dagbon: tradition and change |
Editors: | Abdallah, Zablong Zakariah Locke, David |
Year: | 2010 |
Periodical: | Research Review (ISSN 0855-4412) |
Issue: | 21 |
Pages: | 67 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Ghana |
Subjects: | musicians drumming Dagomba History, Archaeology Dagbani (African people)--Social life and customs Dagbani (African people)--Origin Drummers (Musicians) |
Abstract: | The Dagbamba (Dagomba) of northern Ghana consider their territory to be a powerful kingdom. In the chieftaincy institution of Dagbon, the drummers ('Lunsi') are court historians, musicians, geographers, consultants, advisers, judges, chroniclers of the past and recorders of the present. They are also teachers, researchers and carvers. However modern trends, such as television, video, cinema and discos, are reducing the rate of recruitment and training of 'Lunsi'. Moreover, people prefer these modern forms of entertainment to watching 'Lunsi' performances. The present publication investigates the reasons behind the declining rates of recruitment and training of 'Lunsi' and the overall impact this has on the institution of 'Lunsi', in addition to the impact of the decline of the 'culture of care'. The author draws on interviews with drummers as well as his own lifetime experience as a drummer in the service of Dagbon. [ASC Leiden abstract] |