The Repercussion Series, Vol. 2 The Drums of Dagbon DVD

New World slavery served as the hammer and anvil upon which startling forms of music, unlike any ever heard before, were forged. Drawing upon the expertise of the foremost experts in their fields, this classic and award-winning seven-part series traces the constantly evolving cross-fusion of rhythms and melodies that has given the world gospel, jazz, R&B, reggae, and other unique musical genres. Public performance rights are included. A must have for music departments, music libraries and world music educators. The Drums of Dagbon Dagbon, a 500-year-old kingdom located in northern Ghana, has an elaborate royal hierarchy in which each member has his own orchestra of "talking drums." This program, filmed on location in a group of villages surrounding Dagbons regional capital, explores the ritual use of drum music at every milestone of life. The roles of the master drummers—born into their calling and rigorously trained from childhood—as entertainers, historians, and moral guardians of their culture are also examined. Performers include Issahaku Abdulai, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulai, Fuseini Alhassan, and Fuseini Tia. (58 minutes, color, 1984)