Dagara Music: African Music and Traditional Dance of Ghana with Bernard Woma

Bernard Woma

Bernard is from the Gbanne Clan of the Dagara people. He was born in the village of Hiineteng, in Northwestern Ghana, near the border with Burkina Faso. As a newborn, Bernard's hands were clenched in fists, as if he was clutching xylophone mallets. A village elder informed him that the positioning of Bernard's hands meant he was destined to become a xylophone player. His father purchased a pair of xylophones for his infant son. Bernard began playing the gyil when he was two years old.

At age five, Bernard was introduced to Ziem Tibo, a xylophone maker and player. Ziem Tibo became Bernard's mentor and guide. Tibo taught Bernard how to build and "purify" a new xylophone. Tibo taught Bernard the mysteries associated with the gyil.

As he became known for his musical abilities, Bernard was asked to play at funerals and weddings throughout the Upper West Region of Ghana. Preoccupied with farm work and xylophone playing, Bernard did not begin school until he was ten years old. An older brother convinced their father that Bernard should go to school. Reluctantly, his father agreed, provided that Bernard continued to work at the farm before and after school. His brothers paid the uniform and school fees.

Bernard quickly absorbed the school lessons and jumped several grades ahead. At the same time, he played the gyil at the local Catholic Church. (The Dagara people play the xylophone in church worship music much as the Westerners play the organ.) There he began to set his own words to traditional melodies and compose his own music.

In 1982, Bernard moved to the capital city of Accra to earn money. There, he found a job as a steward with a wealthy Ghanaian family. Occasionally, he would go to Mamobi, a section of Accra where many Dagara people live and gather. There, he played the gyil for traditional Dagara dancing and became well-known in the community.

From these performances, his musical reputation spread. He came to the attention of Professor Apoku and Frances Nii-Yartey, former and current directors of the Ghana Dance Ensemble, Ghana's National Dance Company. Bernard was offered the position of solo xylophonist in 1989. In 1990, he was honoured as "Musician of the Year" award, the first time this award has been given to a percussionist. In his work with the Ghana Dance Ensemble, Bernard travels widely, demonstrating his proficiency with many traditional Ghanaian instruments. In 1992, the Company moved from the University of Ghana to the National Theatre. Bernard retained his title as solo xylophonist and was appointed master drummer of the Company.

Bernard is a member of the St. Kizito Parish in Nima, Accra where he composes for the Catholic Mass. His son, Bismark was also born with clenched hands. Bernard is teaching his son the traditional music of the Dagara people.

Bernard maintains a busy schedule on three continents. In January 1999, he was invited to become a guest lecturer at the State University of New York at Fredonia. He gives workshops, lectures and individaul lessons with musicians in Europe and North America. He continues as a principal member of the National Dance Company of Ghana. Bernard has been the ceremonial Atumpan Drummer for Ghanaian State functions. He was honored to perform for US President Bill Clinton and former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings, and at the recent inauguration of Ghanaian president John Kuffuor.

Bernard owns and operates a school of traditional African music in a northern suburb of Accra, called the Dagara Music Center. Find out more about his school at www.BernardWoma.com.