Traditional Women's Music from Ghana: Ewe, Fanti, Ashanti, and Dagomba

Released in 1981, Traditional Women’s Music from Ghana features songs and dances attributed to women of the Ewe, Fanti, Ashanti, and Dagomba societies. In these societies, participation in music is restricted by both age and gender, and only women perform these songs using instruments and techniques that have been designated appropriate for them. Each song serves a specific purpose, whether it is purely for recreation, like the gabada of the Ewe, or for a rite such as marriage, as in “Ooi yaada ” of the Dagomba. Liner notes include introductions to age– and gender–specific Ghanaian music, and detailed track notes.

Track Listing

101	Gabada	Akayevi Dance Group	04:28
102	Gbolo	Akayevi Dance Group	03:39
103	Aviha	Akayevi Dance Group	03:29
104	Adzewa	Adzewa Women's Group	02:32
105	Abibindwom (1)	Adzewa Women's Group	02:19
106	Abibindwom (2)	Adzewa Women's Group	02:25
107	Abibindwom (3)	Adzewa Women's Group	06:40
201	Ashanti Song	Women's group in Domenasi	04:56
202	Ashanti (2)	Women's group in Huntaado - voices with bamboo stick percussion	05:03
203	Dagarti	Dagarti (Dagaaba) women in Kumasi - voices with handclaps	03:03
204	Ooi yaada (1)	Dagomba women singing and hand-clapping with male drummer in Tamale	04:07
205	Sibere sibere / Tora rori yamba (2)	Dagomba women singing and hand-clapping with male drummer in Tamale	03:27
206	Mbia cheli vuri yee yee (Child Stop Crying) (3)	Dagomba women singing and hand-clapping with male drummer in Tamale	02:48