Amma Bio of Gbaŋmbɛ Katoo demonstrates the dance associated with sinyeele (balo or xylophone) music played at funerals. Male family head Nyua Kwadwo plays the sinyeele. Lying beneath the partially assembled instrument are calabashes that serve as resonators and produce the instrument's distinctive sound. A small wooden stool lies on its side nearby. Sanwa, 6 August, 1986.
Members of Gbaŋmbɛ Katoo demonstrate the use of a (partially constructed) balo or xylophone (sinyeele in Nafaanra). The instrument is played at special funerals, including those of the paramount chief. A calabash with a small hole lies beneath the instrument. Together with other calabashes of graded size (small to large), it serves as the instrument's resonating chamber when fully assembled. By striking the sinyeele's wooden keys with a mallet, a range of musical notes are produced by the differently sized calabashes. Nyua Kwadwo (male family head) holds the mallets he uses to play the sinyeele. On each wrist he wears an iron bangle or bracelet with metal jangles. To the left, a family member plays a drum made from a clay pot. Sanwa, 6 August, 1986.
Oral history of Kenya Katoo (house), Ahenkro, describes how the family came to Ahenkro from Adadiem, a village with which the family has an ongoing relationship. The special duties of the house in the funeral rites of the paramount chief are summarized. A list of former male and female heads of family is included. To cite: Stahl, Ann, and James Anane. 2011. Kenya Katoo, Banda-Ahenkro. In, "Family Histories from the Banda Traditional Area, Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana, 1986," pg. 23. Brochure circulated 1989, reissued with photos and additional histories in 2011. 2 pages.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Sie Longo; Adadiem; Kenya Katoo; Family history
Subjects Facet:
Banda (Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana); Funeral customs and rites; Nafana (African people); Oral history
Creator:
Stahl, Ann B. ; Anane, James
Contributors:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl; Robert Obour; Adwoa Kupo; Yaw Manu; Kwadwo Mala
Oral history of Shiofi Katoo (house), Ahenkro, describes how the family originated in Kakala and came to hold the position of Abakomahene due to brave deeds in a dispute with Kulango people. A list of former male and female heads of family is included. To cite: Stahl, Ann, and James Anane. 2011. Shiofi Katoo, Banda-Ahenkro. In, "Family Histories from the Banda Traditional Area, Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana, 1986," pg. 35. Brochure circulated 1989, reissued with photos and additional histories in 2011. 2 pages.
Oral history of Gbaŋmbԑ [Gbangmbe] Katoo (house), Sanwa, describes how the family came to live in the Banda area and their role in providing xylophone (Balo) music at the funeral of the paramount chief. The history lists former male and female heads of household. To cite: Stahl, Ann, and James Anane. 2011. Gbaŋmbɛ Katoo, Samwa [Sanwa]. In, "Family Histories from the Banda Traditional Area, Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana, 1986," pg. 10. Brochure circulated 1989, reissued with photos and additional histories in 2011. 2 pages.