July 30

This morning we paid a visit to the Tamale Youth Home Cultural Center for a drum and dance workshop. The center began as a cultural center to house the drum and dance group, but has since expanded to include a seamstress shop and a childcare center.

                We learned a new dance called Bamaya, a traditional dance from the Dagbon people. The dance involves the little hour glass shaped drum called a dondo in the south, and a big drum carried over the shoulder also played with a stick. I will have to find out the names later. Because the drums are played over the sholder, the drummers can join in the dance.  The dance is done in a circle and involves much more twisting and swirling than any other dance we’ve learned. We had great fun playing with the pom pom adorned belts that were provided for the dance.