Top 10 Best Traditional Dances in Ghana

Top 10 Traditional Dances in Ghana Hello Desplorers, welcome to another informative video, presented to you by Desplore and thanks for watching. In this video, we'll be exploring some aspects of Ghana's culture as we talk about Top 10 Traditional Dances in Ghana. Formerly called Gold Coast, Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean, in the sub-region of West Africa. Ghana covers a total land area of 238,535 sq km and is bordered by the Ivory Coast in the West, Burkina Faso in the North, Togo in the East, the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean in the South. Over 30 million people inhabit Ghana, dispersed amidst a variety of ethnic, linguistic and religious groups. According to a 2010 census conducted, 5.2% of the population practice traditional faiths, also associated with cultural rites and traditional dances. The main ethnicities in Ghana from which their traditional dances originate are the Akans, Ga and Dangbe, Dagomba and the Iwe people. With more than 100 traditional dances demarcating one tribe from the other, we have come up with the Top 10 Traditional Dances in Ghana. If you're new here, welcome. Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss any of our videos. 10. Kwatsa Dance First on our list is the Kwatsa Dance. The Kwatsa is a very popular Ghanaian dance originating from the Ga Dangbe people. It is sometimes linked with puberty rites and rituals but is said to have multiple social roles. Historically, it is a dance that was first thought to have been performed by dwarfs. The dance involves sideways and forward shuffling movements, making use of short, brisk steps with the body slightly bent, moving the dancer diagonally and backwards. 9. Bamaya Dance Bamaya is a Dagbani word which literally means the river or valley is wet. Bamaya is one of the most popular social music and dance among the inhabitants of Dagbon of northern Ghana. The history of this dance dates back to the 19th century, a time when the northern villages suffered from droughts and it was believed that to appease the gods, men had to dress like women and dance to find favor and obtain food for their village. The Bamaya ensemble comprises a lead dancer, other dancers and drummers who also double as chorus singers and sing along with the dancers. The movements in the dance are very symbolic in meaning. The dancers move their feet very swiftly and twist their waist with beats and cymbals that make noises as they shake and thumb their feet while dancing around the drummers. 8. Azogbo Dance Azogbo is one of the oldest traditional dances in West Africa. The dance originated from Benin, Dahomey as religious music and dance. It was formerly called Dzowo in that during any performance, the men participants would display their so-called love charms to seduce women. Later on, the dance was brought to Ghana in the late 19th century and got embedded in the culture of the southeastern Iwe people of Ghana who now perform it for entertainment during festivals and other social occasions. The women's own face of the dance is known as Kadodo. 7. Bobobo Dance Bobobo is a mixed Ghanaian and Togolese traditional dance which is performed by the Iwe people from mid-Volta region of Ghana as well as the southern Togolese population including Palime and Lome. Bobobo is mostly performed during the festive period involving the chiefs and people of communities. This dance form is performed mainly by females and the costume worn includes a colourful long dress and two white handkerchiefs. The dance steps involve the performers forming a circle and swaying to the rhythmic beat of the music produced by the drums played by the musicians and while dancing, the performers are supposed to twirl two handkerchiefs in the air while winding their back assets skillfully. 6. Bele Dance Truly one of the most fetish and exotic dances in Ghana, Bele is revered as the ancient Gadangwe dance from the southeastern Ghana. Bele songs and dances to the Gadangwe people are symbolic to their historical, cultural and religious heritage. Historically, the dance is said to remind the community of the fact that the Gadangwe society were governed by theocracy. Thus, dancers of Bele are priestesses whose entire beings are put at the disposal of the invisible gods as they seek a physical medium through which to communicate with society. Bele is usually performed in shrines during the Homo festival in late August and early September. The dance is often performed in rituals and much less for mere entertainment purposes. 5. Kbalongo Dance The Kbalongo is an immensely popular traditional dance which is often used as a recreational piece. It emerged in the late 1950s around the time that Ghana gained its independence. It was first played by the Ga ethnic group, most of whom live in and around the capital city, Accra, but it is now performed and enjoyed throughout the country. The Kbalongo dance is often performed low to the ground with bent knees and bent backs, frequently featuring sexually suggestive motions. Initially, many of the dance movements were risky to such an extent that the Kbalongo was almost banned by the government formally. Some of the stories that have been said to dancers are based on three daughters of a local chief whose names were Kbalongo, Alokodza and Imama. Even today, their names can be heard woven throughout many of the songs and dance movements. 4. Kete Dance Kete dance, also known by the Ashanti as the Kete royal court dance drumming, originates from the Akan people of Ghana. Originally existing exclusively within the Ashanti royal court system, Kete is now heard at funerals and weddings, as well as royal palace events. This popular dance constitutes one part of the broader Ashanti dance drumming repertoire, which includes many other genres. Kete contains at least 20 distinct pieces, each with its own history, purpose and specific musical content. 3. Adowa Dance Next up we have the Adowa dance. Adowa is a very graceful dance done by the Akan people of Ghana. It is equally a very popular traditional dance in Ghana, and it is performed at cultural ceremonies like festivals, funerals, engagements and celebrations. The Adowa dance is a sign of expression that allows performers to communicate their emotions and feelings through their hands and feet. With many different hand gestures performed for each setting, dancers will communicate positive emotions at weddings or engagements and negative emotions at funerals. 2. Mina Dance This is a dance seen at social gatherings and entertainment sports. It originated from the northern region of Ghana. It is performed by women singing praise to their creator and those who have helped to raise them in life. The Kalabash features prominently in this dance as a musical instrument and also serving as a dancing accessor. 1. Agbadza Dance Claiming the top spot on our list of top 10 traditional dances in Ghana is Agbadza. Agbadza is an Ewe music and dance that evolved from the times of war into a very popular recreational dance. The Ewe people of the Volta region of Ghana are the founders of this dance. It was performed particularly during the Hobwek Soto Festival, a celebration by the Anlo Ewe people. Formerly used as a means of encouraging warriors to fight in times of war, the dance is now usually played at funerals, weddings and parties. Agbadza is a friendly dance where everyone is welcome to join in the dance, unlike other Ewe dances which sometimes are reserved for people of a certain age, religion or gender. There you have it explorers, those were the top 10 traditional dances in Ghana. Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe, turn on notifications for more content and also like and share this video with friends.