Since antiquity, the Akan developed a complex system of socio-political institutions, each with corresponding modes of artistic expression for recording and sharing things like history, religious philosophy, ideologies, and social values. Recognizing the inherent power of the musical arts, Akan rulers co-opted sound-producing and musical instruments, as well as verbal arts of the bards (Kwadwomfoɔ) and members of the constabulary (Abrafoɔ), as indexes of their power and status. Several battles were won just by capturing musical instruments of an adversary.
Join ethnomusicologist Dr. Kwasi Ampene for an overview of Asante court music and find out how music, like gold, projected the political power of the Asante king. Ampene is Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology and African Music in the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies and the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at the University of Michigan.
This talk is presented in conjunction with The Power of Gold: Asante Royal Regalia from Ghana. The exhibition includes over 200 items of gleaming gold regalia, colorful and intricately woven silk kente cloth, ceremonial furniture, state swords, linguist staffs, and other significant objects related to Asante royals from the 19th through the 21st centuries. The Power of Gold reveals the splendor of Asante regalia through objects from private and public collections, including works in the DMA's collection.
This talk is part of Late Nights at the Dallas Museum of Art.
Image: Pendant, Ghana, Asante peoples, late 19th century, gold-copper-silver alloy, Dallas Museum of Art, McDermott African Art Acquisition Fund, 2014.26.2