Kathy Armstrong: Songs From Gahu

  
Gahu is a recreational piece of the Ewe (eh-weh), who live in Ghana and Togo, West Africa. Gahu is a rich texture of singing, dancing, drumming, drama and the visual impact of colorful costumes. It originated in Nigeria and was brought to Ghana in the 1950's by Ewes who had travelled there, "Gahu" means "expensive dance" and refers to the elaborate nature of the costumes.



These four songs (among many others) accompany the dancing and drumming of Gahu. The dance is performed in a circle. The percussion parts include ostinati rhythms from a double bell and a gourd rattle. Overtop are interlocking drum patters which occasionally break into call and response rhythms.