Ghana

gyil also called dagaaba xylophone

Ghanaian xylophone, frame xylophone played by several groups, for recreation also religious and rituals of everyday life

savanna

green region between the dryer sahel to the north and wetter forest to the south

griot

hereditary professional musicians and oral historians

jembe

Ghanaian goblet shaped hand drum

balafon or bala

xylophone played by mandinka griots, associated with the Mande royal court

frame xylophones

xylophone with wooden slats placed on top of a frame and attached in some way. Classified by how they are attached

Ghana music

most known for drum ensemble, xylophones are used for expressing national identity

timbila

frame xylophone of the Chopi people from mozambique. Attached with cord running through a hole in it

akadinda

frame xylophone of the Baganda people of Uganda. Kept in place by tall rods set on either side

lo-gyil

Dagaaba frame xylophone, relatively small with 14 slats, pentagonic scale

daga-gyil

dagaaba frame xylophone, relatively large, typically with 18 slats, pentatonic scale

Bernard Woma

Teacher, taught gyill playing to international students, made compositions for ewe orchestra

bewaa

popular recreational dance form among the Dagaaba of Ghana, lo-gyil is used for this

Funeral

require their most expressive instrument the gyil. Accompanies song and dance to ease deceased person’s spirit to the spiritual world of the ancestors, expression of grief, protects souls from harmful spirits, facilitates an emotional balance. Celebrated publicly. Mourning commences immediately after death, death announcements include wailing and xylophone playing

Bad deaths are pre-mature deaths: not celebrated publicly, no gyil music

Culture

republic of Fhana, christians, muslims, many faiths, english is the official language of the government, many languages though, independence in 1957

lobri

tunes played on the lo-gyil that announces the death of a Dagaaba man or woman, short repetitive and convey information

Death dance music on daga-gyil

funeral ceremonies, music played on this is called kuurbine. Performed by an ensemble that consists of two daga-gyil, a kuor, and a chorus of chanters. most important category of gyil music. Forms the basis of training for xylophone students

kuor

large gourd drum with a skin attached to the top, played by both hands

Beat structure

6/8 but 3 main beat compound meter. Left and right hand are off by a beat.