THE ROYAL INSTRUMENTAL RESOURCES OF THE AKAN

The Akan like every tribal community around the world have special instrumental resources that are used to make music and in many of its cultural expressions. There are Idiophone, Chordophones, Aerophones and Membranophones ( Professor Nketsea's classification). There are over 100 musical instruments used by the Akan but the most popular ones are the Membranophones. Membranophones also known as drums abound in Ghanaian royal cultural music ensembles. There are many types of drums and many made of different sizes and shapes. In this lesson, our focus will be on Royal Drums and other Royal Instrumental Resources.

Ceremonial or Royal Drums are the special drums made specifically to be used exclusively by the royal courts of the traditional community leader -Chiefs and Queenmother.

Each Akan community makes music that shows its unique identity, heritage, prowess, economic power and its artistic finesse. Though many of the Akan communities have Drum/Music Ensembles, instrumental resources used reflect some of the attributes mentioned above.

The most common but popular Music Ensemble for the Akan Royalty is the BOMAA Ensemble also known as the FONTONFROM. This Ensemble comprise of the One Twin Drum called ATUMPAN; Two big and tall drums called the Fontomfrom, The Apentema, The Petia and Two Big Bells.

THE FONTONFROM ENSEMBLE

DURING PROCESSION AND HOW THEY ARE CARRIED AND PLAYED

Another popular Royal Ensemble is the KETE Ensemble.

The Kete is a royal court music and dance that is very exclusive to the royalty.

Depending on the level and rank of the chief, the colors of the Kete Ensemble reflect same.

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