Arts and Culture of Ghana

The art and culture of Ghana is replete with the traditional folklores of the country which has long been a part of its intrinsic identity. Like the other countries of Africa, Ghana boasts of wide array of traditional forms of art and dance, each having a particular significance of their own.

A Brief Background of the Cultural History of Ghana---

With a glorious history of more than 300,000 years the country of Ghana has been inhabited by different ethnic groups at different times. This invasion has left behind some impressive marks in the evolution of the art and cultural scenario of the country. Evidences indicate that towards the middle of 13th Century, Akan Kingdoms rose to prominence in Ghana with their empires being extended even to the far off coastal lands. In 1471, the Portuguese traders arrived in this part of Africa in search of gold and ivory initially lured here by the trade in ivory and gold. They continued to rule for a considerable period of time and their intermingling with the local cultures led brought about a radical change in cultural spheres of Ghana. The Akan kingdom contributed a lot towards the up gradation of the social culture of the country through the construction of a series of historic monuments which are now an important part of its great heritage and serves the dual purpose of being a popular architectural landmark of the country.

Entertainment Activities in Ghana---

Africa, widely known as the mystic land with diversified natural beauties has more to offer in terms of art and culture, is in fact an indispensable part of its growing identity. Just a walk through the villages of Ghana offers you glimpses of traditional folklore of the country. Each ethnic tribal groups of Ghana specialize in a particular artwork such as the Ashanti are well known for their hands on experience in weaving, wood carving, ceramics, metallurgy and pottery-making. During the annual festivals, conventional musical instruments such as 'Axatse', 'Gankogui', 'Kidi', 'Atsimevu' and 'Sogo'. In many of the rural areas of Ghana, during the evening time the village folks gather in groups and play drums while others sing songs of mythological folktales of the glorious past. Even the major cities of Ghana like Cape Coast, Koforidua, Accra houses some of the best art galleries and symposiums of the country. These popular galleries host varied musical programmes on jazz, reggae and pop music by famous musical bands and singers of the country.

Literary aspects of Ghana---

Since the ancient times, story telling has been a popular form of art in different parts of Ghana. Over the literature of Ghana has under gone significant changes as majority of the popular library works of the country highlight on the colonial rule, corruption, and the clash of ideas and values between the past and the present day generation of Ghana. Some of the most well known writers of the country who rose to international fame are--- Efua Sutherland, Ama Ata Aidoo, Ayi Kwei Armah and Kofi Awoono.

Thus, the art and culture of Ghana represents the rich heritage of country.

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