“Two portraits from Ghana” is the title of the book by Nicholas Scaldaferri, ethnomusicologist and professor at the University of Milan. The book, published by Editions Squilibri is the result of ethnography of the scholar, during which he documented two experiences emblematic of the processes of socio-cultural change that are affecting the sub-Saharan country. The volume is accompanied by a DVD with two documentaries. The first is devoted to Alhaji Abubakari Lunna, “player of lunna, the talking drum of professional musicians active in the population of the Dagomba in the north of the country”. The second is focused on William Thomas Cheetham, founder and leader of a Christian religious community, inspired by the Pentecostal-charismatic, near Accra”. As you can read in the dedicated page on the website of the publisher, “united by the fact of being at the center of musical activity that involves their families and communities, the two experiences are placed in the same way the crossroads of tradition and modernity, according to the dynamics of transformation brought about by globalization. A classic theme of Africanist musicology, such as that of talking drums, is experienced by the protagonist as well, thanks to its international relations, in a comparatist dimension of great interest and originality, while a devotion of western stand the layers of ancient local cults that contribute to enhance the musical components in the expression of a religious feeling”.

Autore: Daniele Cestellini

Daniele Cestellini ha scritto 752 articoli.

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