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LESSON FOR TODAY 061120- ROYAL AKAN CEREMONIAL SPEECH DRUMMING-ATUMPAN



One of the important drumming styles in Ghana is the speech mode of drumming also known as the talking drumming or the Talking Drums. In Ghana the premier talking drum is called ATUMPAN.
The Atumpan are two twin drums that represent one high tone and the other low tone. They represent the male elder in low tone and the female elder in high tone to signify how our ancestors have been the source of our wisdom today. 
ATUMPAN AS A SPEECH DRUM- TALKING DRUMS
In playing the Atumpan the master drummer known as "Okyerema"imitates the human speech in Akan proverbs,parables, lore, values and poetry to play appellations and praises to God, the Ancestors, the King, Important Elders and the community as well as dignitaries during ceremonial events.

ATUMPAN AS PART OF ADOWA ENSEMBLE
The Atumpan as part of the Adowa Ensemble is the master drum that communicates and accentuates the gestures and movements of the dancer or dancers on the floor. He gives cues to the bells to start any new suite that the ensemble will play. He directs the flow of time and tempo of the performance.

ATUMPAN AS PART OF FENTENFREM ( FONTONFROM)
In the largest Royal Ceremonial Drumming globally known as the Fontonfrom, the Atumpan is the Master drum that set the pace and give accents to the Bomaa drums ( The Big and Tallest drums in the ensemble). 



                             VIDEO IMPRESSIONS

                    OKYEREMA KYEREMANTENG OF GHANA


HAROLD PERFORMS ON ATUMPAN WITH HIS NEW YORK BASED OBRUMANKOMA NANA AGYEMAN SANKOFA DRUMMERS

THE AFRICAN TALKING DRUMS IN THE AMERICAS

OKYEREMA KWESI ADJEI DEMONSTRATING ATUMPAN DRUMMING STYLES IN KUMASI


USING THE ATUMPAN DRUMS TO PRAISE GOD IN AFRICAN CHURCH TODAY


ATUMPAN AS PART OF GHANA'S DAY OF SACRED DRUMMING BY GHANA PERCUSSIVE ARTS SOCIETY


FEMALE DRUMMERS- NANA AFIA KENTENG PLAYING AT A FUNERAL CELEBRATION
There are few female Atumpan drummers as traditionally it is a preserved of the male. Those who play inherit it from a family of master drummers who teach them as they grow naturally. Here is one of them and they normally play for funerals or other community events in semi professional groups other than at the Royal Palaces.

NANA AFIA KENSAH- A SEMI PROFESSIONAL FEMALE DRUMMER OF A COMMERCIAL CULTURAL TROUPE PERFORMING FOR FUNERALS


ATUMPAN FOR PEACE DURING THE GHANA DAY OF PERCUSSION ORGANIZED BY THE GPAS-GHANA




AMAZING FEMALE PRAISE DRUMMER OF THE AFRICAN FAITH TABERNACLE CHURCH ( NKANSA ASOR) 



ATUMPAN "SMALL BOY DANGER" 8 YEARS OLD DRUMMER IN PRAISE DRUMMING IN THE AFRICAN TABERNACLE CHURCH

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