ABSTRACT

This article presents a study of the timpani drum beats and the akarima drummer among the Dagomba of Ghana, using analysis of audio and video recordings of drumming sessions and interviews with the drummers. Borrowed from the Asantes in the eighteenth century, the timpani transmits limited, oft-repeated messages in Akan, a language that neither the drummer nor his Dagomba patrons understand. In spite of this, the timpani is an integral part of Dagomba culture and rituals. In addition to transmitting messages with the drum, the akarima guards the tradition and cultural heritage, and reinforces Dagomba values and cultural ethos. As a guardian of tradition, the akarima resists innovation of the practices associated with the use of the drum. As a constructor of realities, he creates knowledge and values from the praises of chiefs, imparts them to his patrons and actively moulds their lives to conform to these values. The article argues that, far from being a deficiency, the use of the drum to transmit messages in a language not comprehensible to the people contributes significantly to the success of the akarima, who functions as imparter of values to his listeners.

摘要

本文通过对击鼓活动的音频和视频记录以及对鼓手的采访进行分析，对加纳 Dagomba 中的定音鼓节奏和akarima鼓手进行了研究。定音鼓是从 18 世纪的阿桑特人那里借来的，它用阿坎语传递有限的、经常重复的信息，而鼓手和他的达贡巴赞助人都无法理解这种语言。尽管如此，定音鼓仍然是达贡巴文化和仪式的一个组成部分。除了用鼓传递信息外，阿卡里玛还守护着传统和文化遗产，并强化了达贡巴的价值观和文化精神。作为传统的守护者，akarima抵制与鼓的使用相关的实践创新。作为现实的建设者，他从酋长的赞扬中创造知识和价值观，将它们传授给他的赞助人，并积极塑造他们的生活以符合这些价值观。文章认为，使用鼓以人们无法理解的语言传递信息绝非缺陷，而是对阿卡里玛的成功做出了重大贡献，阿卡里玛充当了向听众传播价值观的角色。