Evolution of Ghanaian Theatre
INTRODUCTION.
Theatre in Ghana predates ancient times although there is no document to support that, it is not farfetched because Ghanaian way of life has been theatrical and performance based; from child birth to naming ceremony through to puberty rites to marriage ceremonies and funeral rites. All these ceremonies are imbued with theatrical performances. It must also be noted that instoolment of Chiefs, festivals, enstoolment of Chiefs, grand durbars, victories at war, ritual ceremonies are all filled with highly stylized theatrical performances. At these ceremonies, the people present become the audience, the place for the event becomes the performance space, what they say and do during the period become the story and the performance respectively. The actors or performers are the people in charge of the event. A recent visit to a festival accentuates my propensity, although it’s in modern time, they still maintain that level of performance spirit. The people are separated from the actors in relation to seating and there’s an open space where people are called on to perform one thing or the other.
The Chief is carried in his palanquin and rode throughout the town to the final destination thus where the festival is taking place. He gets down and begins to greet the people gathered before he takes his seat. Meanwhile appellations are being offered as he moves around with his entourage accompanied with drumming and trumpet blowing. The Chief priest also performs his ritual to affirm the support of the ancestors and to ask for their assistance. The linguist who is the mediated or the mouth piece for the Chief and the people come forward and mutter some proverbial language mostly accompanied with drum language to tell the purpose of the gathering. There is an interlude characterized with singing, drumming and dancing from various groups and advertently draws on the audience to join in the dancing and singing.
Theatre is a venture that has stood the test of time
Theatre in Ghana predates ancient times although there is no document to support that, it is not farfetched because Ghanaian way of life has been theatrical and performance based; from child birth to naming ceremony through to puberty rites to marriage ceremonies and funeral rites. All these ceremonies are imbued with theatrical performances. It must also be noted that instoolment of Chiefs, festivals, enstoolment of Chiefs, grand durbars, victories at war, ritual ceremonies are all filled with highly stylized theatrical performances. At these ceremonies, the people present become the audience, the place for the event becomes the performance space, what they say and do during the period become the story and the performance respectively. The actors or performers are the people in charge of the event. A recent visit to a festival accentuates my propensity, although it’s in modern time, they still maintain that level of performance spirit. The people are separated from the actors in relation to seating and there’s an open space where people are called on to perform one thing or the other.
The Chief is carried in his palanquin and rode throughout the town to the final destination thus where the festival is taking place. He gets down and begins to greet the people gathered before he takes his seat. Meanwhile appellations are being offered as he moves around with his entourage accompanied with drumming and trumpet blowing. The Chief priest also performs his ritual to affirm the support of the ancestors and to ask for their assistance. The linguist who is the mediated or the mouth piece for the Chief and the people come forward and mutter some proverbial language mostly accompanied with drum language to tell the purpose of the gathering. There is an interlude characterized with singing, drumming and dancing from various groups and advertently draws on the audience to join in the dancing and singing.
Theatre is a venture that has stood the test of time