Sep
02
Filed Under (Beninese culture, Ethnomusicology, General, Sound Clips) by Rob on 02-09-2007

Here (finally) is the report of the workshop I ran in Dassa in August, with the Ifè and Idaasha people groups.

The Ifè are from Togo and traveled over to Benin for the workshop. Here are the Ifè participants (+ one white face!):

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The Isaasha participants, however, were all from close by, and many walked to the workshop! The two people groups have quite a lot in common in terms of culture – their languages are in the same family and (we discovered) they share several song genres.

Day 1

As I had transport problems at the time, I traveled up to Dassa by taxi (only 3 hours’ drive from Cotonou), leaving at around 5:45am to get there on time to start (and with one daughter, 2 nieces and a brother-in-law traveling with me!) So, straight into the work on genres by around (9:30). Here are the genres we noted.

Firstly, genres found in both Ifè and Idaasha:

Agbaja…………………………………………………………………………for rejoicing

Gɛ̀lɛ̀dɛ́…………………………………………………………………………for rejoicing

Akpokpo (also known as Ogu in Idaasha)………………………………used when hunting

Gudugbá (also known as Akoto in Ifè)………………………………….for parties and rejoicing

ShikpoÌ€ (AjikpoÌ€ in Ifè)…………………………………………………….for rejoicing (also the same as the Isikpe of the Aja people)

Ɔwɔ́-kpipka (Ɔwɔ́-OtsuÌ€kpá in Ifè)……………………………………..sung in the moonlight

Other Idaasha genres include:

Gumbé…………………………………………………..……………………………..for parties/rejoicing

Abérelé……………………………………………..…………………….…………..for rejoicing in church

Agbojalogan………………………………………..…………………….…………for mourning/funeral parties

Golù……………………………………………..………………………………..…for mourning/funeral parties

BoluÌ€ (or Obi)…………………………………………………………….………for parties at church

Ajogbagbeya………………………………………………………….………..for parties

Asha………………………………..…………………………………….………..for praising kings

Other Ifè genres include:

Atrukpe……………………………………………………………………..….for mourning

Here I am leading a discussion on song genres:

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We discussed which of these genres were already used in church, which could be used and which ones it was best not to use (at least for the time being). Then onto composing, in 6 groups (3 Ifè, 3 Idaasha). First I present the verses – we start with 3 parables: The Sower, The Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son. These work well, as story telling is a big part of African culture, and the settings of these stories are, in many ways closer to African experience than western. All back together just before lunch to share the songs composed and suggest improvements etc. Then onto 3 passages from Hebrews – chosen by the Ifè, on the subject of sacrifice (an important part of their culture).

Here’s part of the Good Samaritan song composed by the Ifè, using the Gudugba song genre (with some fab drone singing). Have a listen:

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Day 2

More composing first thing, then presentation of the Hebrews songs. Lois, Alison and the others arrive mid-morning (thankfully, Lois has brought some more headphones for me, as the others gave out yesterday and I’d been using some ‘in the ear’ ones from Rachel’s IPod!) After lunch, I set up my equipment and we start recording. It begins to rain a tad but, thankfully, not too much, so we continue and get 7 of the 12 songs in the can. Here I am recording (NB can you spot Lois in the background too?):

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The last 3 verses are then given out (2 Cor 5:17, Coll 2:6-7 and Galatians 5:22-26), all on the subject of Christian growth and living.

Day 3

Finishing off compositions, then start recording by 11:00am. Today, it’s much more rainy, so we set up under a paillotte (straw gazebo) with only the percussionists outside. Here are some folks warming up under the paillotte – notice the large gourd, or calabash, being used as a drum here:

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Here’s an extract from the Idaasha composition on 2 Corinthians 5:17 (about being a new creation). It’s in the Abérelé song genre and has some neat cow bell playing (which Gary Wood especially enjoyed):

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All recorded by 5:30pm, when my taxi arrives to take us back. Altogether, 18 songs have been recorded, which will form 2 albums. Phew! We all stay the night at the Auberge in Dassa (aka my second home!) then pile into a 9-seater taxi and head back to Cotonou the next day! Thanks to the Wood family for coming along, and to Gary for taking all the photos you’ve just looked at!



Comments:
2 Comments posted on "Two for the price of one!"
Rachel :) on September 2nd, 2007 at 1:51 pm #

I WAS THERE!!!!

😀


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