Adesa

ghana

Adesa - Ghana The members of the group Adesa belong the Ga people, a minority living in the surroundings of the Ghanaian capital Accra. Traditionally the Ga are fishermen and sailors. For over 500 years the small Ga tribe had a varied history. Their main occupation as coastal merchants of gold, palm oil and other brought wealth to them as well as the opportunity to come into close contact with different cultures. After the colonial powers occupied their territories with military force slavery was established and most of the Ga were deported as slaves. Thus the Ga's collective memory of their history and cultural traditions was erased for ever. But their legendary pride survived and gave them sufficient strength to become again the most active and open minded traders in the capital and in other Ghanaian ports. Due to this history the music traditions in this part of West Africa differs very much from those in Senegal or Mali where despite colonialism famous artists' clans have kept alive the knowledge of ritual instruments, melodies and rhythms performed in ceremonies and of poetry for several hundred years. Adesa More than 15 years ago it was in Accra's famous market place Kaneshei - the scenery of the song Pamplo - that Adesa's artistic works and search for their identity started: Korkoi Odametey from the royal family of the Ga Mantse, a female dancer and active member of the Tigari cult, met Nii Ayi Conen from Germany. On his way to find the meaning of life he had alr...