Fourteen Whites Learn Local Music

Fourteen people from Australia, United Kingdom and the Republic of South Africa are currently undergoing a four-week training in traditional drumming and dancing at the Kusun Study Centre in Accra.

Dubbed Kusun Study Tour, a project which began in 1998 had become an annual affair, with participants coming from diverse countries in Europe, Australia, the United States, Asia and African.

"The workshop, among other things seeks not only to introduce Ghanaian traditional music and dance to participants, but also to expose them to all aspects of the rich Ghanaian cultural heritage", said Jane Pentland, who is co-coordinating the workshops.

"Indeed, they will also benefit from a direct encounter with some Ghanaian festivals, food, traditions and history as they progress with their lessons in drumming and dancing , continued Pentland, who is as well a music promotor from Melbourne, Australia".

Highly experienced dancers and drummers from the Kusun Ensemble will take participants through basic complex rhythms and movements of two Ga tradition dance peices - Fume Fume and Kpanlogo.

They will enjoy the privileged of watching performances by various community dancers and music groups which are based in the suburbs of Accra and its environs, while visiting some sites of historical and cultural significance.

Led by Master Flutist Nii Tettey Tetteh, Kusun Ensemble has over the years been at the forefront of the promotion of Ghanaian traditional music and dance in Europe, Australia, the United States and other parts of Africa.

With several albums to their credit, the group had performed to enthusiastic audiences during large scale multicultural festivals. Kusun Ensemble represented Ghana at the Commonwealth Ganes Arts Festival, which was held in Melbourne early this year.

The group raised the flag of Ghana with a spectacular performance before a crowd of 7000, while a sharing with the South African diva, Miriam Makeba.

John Owoo, Graphic Showbiz