For Ghana, dance be like common language wey pass just movement.
E be strong way wey show people history, success, joy, sorrow, celebration and even war talk or just wahala wey we dey communicate.
Dance dey part of our identity, e dey connect our history, culture and values.
Ghana get plenty traditional dances, each one get im own history, meaning and style. From Ewe people wey dey perform Agbadza to Akans (Asantes, Bonos, Akims, Akuapims and Kwahus) wey dey do Adowa, each dance dey show our rich cultural mix. Other dances wey dey stand out be Kple from Ga-Dangme; Apatampa from Fanti; Kpanlogo from Ga; Borborbor from Ewe and Pogne Dance from Frafra people.
Among dis lively dances, Bamaya dey popular for Dagombas for northern Ghana. The name “Bamaya” sef get im own story. For Dagbani, e mean “the river or valley dey wet,” wey talk about where the dance come from for 19th century.
According to oral story, Dagbon State face serious drought wey spoil crops and animals. The chief and im elders go meet oracle, wey advise dem to cool the gods by wearing women cloth and sacrificing animals.
Dem story talk say gods like women prayers pass men own, so the dress code no be normal. As men wear women cloth and do the sacrifices, rain finally come, bring joy to land wey dey suffer.
Men dey dance for muddy ground, im movement dey show wet earth. Today, Bamaya dey perform no be only to remember wetin e mean for history but also to make people enjoy and learn for festivals and other special times, make sure sey e go last gree gree for years wey go come. The dance still dey shine as part of Northern Region culture. Performers, wey dey wear fine robes like women, dey show dem skill with quick footwork, sharp waist movements and plenty energy for drum beats. When dem add beads and cymbal bells for dem waist and chin, e go make the rhythm sweet pass. As the lead dancer dey lead all, the drummers and flute players dey create beat wey go determine how dem go dance. Each dancer dey show dem own skills as dem dey take turn to display dem talent.
