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The Ecology of Gahu: Participatory Music and Health Benefits of Ewe Performance in a Canadian Drum and Dance Ensemble


Kathy Armstrong

Abstract

Ghanaian music and dance provide a rich environment for social interaction, which
is a significant contributory factor to health and well-being, both for individuals and the communities in which they live. The vibrant and energetic drumming and dance of the popular Ewe pieceGahu offer numerous opportunities for participatory music-making, not only in Ghana but throughout the world, in performance, educational and community settings. Through video analysis and discussion of cross-disciplinary research, this article identifies the ecological factors present in a Canadian university performance of Gahu that play a positive role in the health of the students involved.

Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2458-746X
print ISSN: 0855-1502