Abdulai Asuro - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Abdulai Asuro
Journal of Folklore Research Reviews, May 22, 2008
Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Chiji Akoma Year: 2007 Pages: 176 Publisher: The Ohio State Univer... more Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Chiji Akoma Year: 2007 Pages: 176 Publisher: The Ohio State University Press ISBN: 978-0-8142-1071-0 (hard cover). Prices: $36.95 USD(hard cover).
Journal of Folklore Research Reviews, Apr 5, 2007
Reviewed Medium: book Year: 2006 Pages: 504 Publisher: Blackwell Publishing ISBN: 1-4051-2595-0 (... more Reviewed Medium: book Year: 2006 Pages: 504 Publisher: Blackwell Publishing ISBN: 1-4051-2595-0 (hard cover). Prices: $74.95 USD(hard cover).
... rhythm, melody, harmony, and tone color to bring up the complete spectacle. This corroborat... more ... rhythm, melody, harmony, and tone color to bring up the complete spectacle. This corroborates Dan Ben-Amos' assertion that folklore should not just be seen as collectible ... George Agyekum (2002), Ibrahim Mahama (2004), and Abudulai Yakubu (2005) have recently written ...
American Ethnologist, 2009
African Studies Review, 2009
Journal of Studies in Social Sciences, Nov 7, 2014
The paper seeks to examine traditional and contemporary Dagbamba music in Dagbamba personal and p... more The paper seeks to examine traditional and contemporary Dagbamba music in Dagbamba personal and public identity. It is my goal to also analyze the various ingredients that go into the music played in this setting, and look at the social functions they play. I will argue that the two forms contrast only in style, but they do complement, rather than compete against or even conflict with each other. This paper further juxtaposes the two broad genres (old and new 1) by doing diachronic and synchronic analysis of with the This then, is a diachronic and synchronic analysis of Dabamba music aim to arrive at common threads that connect these forms. The two broad categories of music from Dagbaŋ shall be considered in this paper: traditional "drum" 2 (and fiddle), and pop music sung on the local scene in the Dagbanli language.
This paper, which centres on events at the court of the Yaa Naa in Yendi, Ghana, focuses on speec... more This paper, which centres on events at the court of the Yaa Naa in Yendi, Ghana, focuses on speech events where greetings are used. Greetings are ritually used to solidarise with peers, or show deference to higher ups on the social ladder, in a cultural milieu. The greetings and exchanges at times of meeting and leave-taking utilise asymmetric salutations to show respect to, and index the status of interactants, while symmetric ones aim at showing solidarity between interactants. The choice of code depends on the occasion, participants, and the nature of the subject under of the discourse. Participant observation was used to gather the data, which was matched against library material for analyses. These brought to the fore that, greetings are ritualised verbal sessions where people react with each other, and also show deference to higher ups on the social ladder. The established protocols are observed during these interactions.
The Journal of Pan-African Studies, 2018
This study focuses on the role of the living libraries, the baansi, of the Dagomba of Ghana in pr... more This study focuses on the role of the living libraries, the baansi, of the Dagomba of Ghana in preserving and sustaining the culture and history of the people of Dagbon in the northern region of Ghana. The paper is a qualitative study, and the instruments used for data collection span from 2012 to 2015, which comprises acoustic appreciation, group discussion, observation, phased assertion, storytelling, and filed notes. The study reveals that the living librarians (baansi) are the watchdogs/social critics of the society who help to maintain stability and influence people into conforming to the norms and the culture of the society. 154 Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies, vol.11, no.2, January 2018
In most cosmopolitan areas in Ghana there exists a hybrid language called pidgin or broken langua... more In most cosmopolitan areas in Ghana there exists a hybrid language called pidgin or broken language. This paper looks at pidgin as an evolving process which finds use in particular contexts. The composition that will be considered include, the lexicon, phonology, and structure, and also compare Ghanaian and Nigerian pidgins, and analyse pidgin as the undocumented lingua franca of the sub region. Data used in the analysis is largely derived from primary sources, and then from some pidgin lyrics of a number of songs. I suggest that Pidgin Ghanaian English should be seen as another language variety which should be of linguistic interest, and needs more enquiries by linguists. Keywords : Morphology, Pidgin, English, Ghana
This piece discusses the interplay of folklore, folkloristics, and nationalism, bringing to light... more This piece discusses the interplay of folklore, folkloristics, and nationalism, bringing to light some of the complications arising in this conjunction. Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Europe is discussed, then focus is placed on the use of language as a primary vehicle for all folk ways, moving from a theoretical dimension, to folklore in practice. Some examples from Ghana are cited, to complete this folkloristic cycle that moves folklore from theory to a performance. The artistic function of folklore is important, not as an end in itself but as a means to achieving a higher end, which is the transmission of historical and cultural information. Content analysis was carried out on some European and Ghanaian literatures. Ghanaian indigenous music comes in the form folk music that displays the collective efforts of the ethnic group, with anonymous creativity. Not only does the music entertain its patrons but it also contains admonitions to the listener/dancer. While dancing to the rh...
Oral narratives feature prominently in the daily activities of African societies. These often for... more Oral narratives feature prominently in the daily activities of African societies. These often foreground future happenings. Epic song collapses time, linking past, present, and future events. Our main interest is the historical, linguistic and poetic aspects of the praise song of Naa Abdulai Yaakuba (Naɣbiɛɣu), who reigned from 1849 to 1876. This work is both ethnopoetic and ethnographic in nature, combining an inquiry into the genre of royal praise-naming, the nuances of language that goes to the making of this lore. Using ethnographic and secondary sources the paper ties history, song and performance to the daily lives of the Dagbamba of Ghana. An epic battle gives birth to this performance.
The effectiveness of radio as mass medium derives from its capacity to go beyond barriers of illi... more The effectiveness of radio as mass medium derives from its capacity to go beyond barriers of illiteracy, to strengthen democracy and governance. Participatory democracy entails a broad involvement of people in administering their nations or organizations. The populace gets involved in decision making by getting their voices heard. Private radio stations, more than the state-owned ones are better positioned and poised for the task of enhancing the mass participation in government business, by not only listening to what the government of the day has to tell them, but also giving them an avenue to hear other views and to also air their (alternative) views. Private radio facilitates the democratic ambitions of the populace, who get to dialogue with government and their representatives. Gone are the days when radio was a one way medium of communication, and all the audience could do was listen to a reader/speaker presenting an item. Today the listener can contribute to the current news i...
African Journal of Applied Research, Feb 23, 2015
International Journal of Linguistics, 2014
This paper, which centres on events at the court of the Yaa Naa in Yendi, Ghana, focuses on speec... more This paper, which centres on events at the court of the Yaa Naa in Yendi, Ghana, focuses on speech events where greetings are used. Greetings are ritually used to solidarise with peers, or show deference to higher ups on the social ladder, in a cultural milieu. The greetings and exchanges at times of meeting and leave-taking utilise asymmetric salutations to show respect to, and index the status of interactants, while symmetric ones aim at showing solidarity between interactants. The choice of code depends on the occasion, participants, and the nature of the subject under of the discourse. Participant observation was used to gather the data, which was matched against library material for analyses. These brought to the fore that, greetings are ritualised verbal sessions where people react with each other, and also show deference to higher ups on the social ladder. The established protocols are observed during these interactions.
South African Journal of African Languages
Journal of Folklore Research Reviews, May 22, 2008
Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Chiji Akoma Year: 2007 Pages: 176 Publisher: The Ohio State Univer... more Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Chiji Akoma Year: 2007 Pages: 176 Publisher: The Ohio State University Press ISBN: 978-0-8142-1071-0 (hard cover). Prices: $36.95 USD(hard cover).
Journal of Folklore Research Reviews, Apr 5, 2007
Reviewed Medium: book Year: 2006 Pages: 504 Publisher: Blackwell Publishing ISBN: 1-4051-2595-0 (... more Reviewed Medium: book Year: 2006 Pages: 504 Publisher: Blackwell Publishing ISBN: 1-4051-2595-0 (hard cover). Prices: $74.95 USD(hard cover).
... rhythm, melody, harmony, and tone color to bring up the complete spectacle. This corroborat... more ... rhythm, melody, harmony, and tone color to bring up the complete spectacle. This corroborates Dan Ben-Amos' assertion that folklore should not just be seen as collectible ... George Agyekum (2002), Ibrahim Mahama (2004), and Abudulai Yakubu (2005) have recently written ...
American Ethnologist, 2009
African Studies Review, 2009
Journal of Studies in Social Sciences, Nov 7, 2014
The paper seeks to examine traditional and contemporary Dagbamba music in Dagbamba personal and p... more The paper seeks to examine traditional and contemporary Dagbamba music in Dagbamba personal and public identity. It is my goal to also analyze the various ingredients that go into the music played in this setting, and look at the social functions they play. I will argue that the two forms contrast only in style, but they do complement, rather than compete against or even conflict with each other. This paper further juxtaposes the two broad genres (old and new 1) by doing diachronic and synchronic analysis of with the This then, is a diachronic and synchronic analysis of Dabamba music aim to arrive at common threads that connect these forms. The two broad categories of music from Dagbaŋ shall be considered in this paper: traditional "drum" 2 (and fiddle), and pop music sung on the local scene in the Dagbanli language.
This paper, which centres on events at the court of the Yaa Naa in Yendi, Ghana, focuses on speec... more This paper, which centres on events at the court of the Yaa Naa in Yendi, Ghana, focuses on speech events where greetings are used. Greetings are ritually used to solidarise with peers, or show deference to higher ups on the social ladder, in a cultural milieu. The greetings and exchanges at times of meeting and leave-taking utilise asymmetric salutations to show respect to, and index the status of interactants, while symmetric ones aim at showing solidarity between interactants. The choice of code depends on the occasion, participants, and the nature of the subject under of the discourse. Participant observation was used to gather the data, which was matched against library material for analyses. These brought to the fore that, greetings are ritualised verbal sessions where people react with each other, and also show deference to higher ups on the social ladder. The established protocols are observed during these interactions.
The Journal of Pan-African Studies, 2018
This study focuses on the role of the living libraries, the baansi, of the Dagomba of Ghana in pr... more This study focuses on the role of the living libraries, the baansi, of the Dagomba of Ghana in preserving and sustaining the culture and history of the people of Dagbon in the northern region of Ghana. The paper is a qualitative study, and the instruments used for data collection span from 2012 to 2015, which comprises acoustic appreciation, group discussion, observation, phased assertion, storytelling, and filed notes. The study reveals that the living librarians (baansi) are the watchdogs/social critics of the society who help to maintain stability and influence people into conforming to the norms and the culture of the society. 154 Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies, vol.11, no.2, January 2018
In most cosmopolitan areas in Ghana there exists a hybrid language called pidgin or broken langua... more In most cosmopolitan areas in Ghana there exists a hybrid language called pidgin or broken language. This paper looks at pidgin as an evolving process which finds use in particular contexts. The composition that will be considered include, the lexicon, phonology, and structure, and also compare Ghanaian and Nigerian pidgins, and analyse pidgin as the undocumented lingua franca of the sub region. Data used in the analysis is largely derived from primary sources, and then from some pidgin lyrics of a number of songs. I suggest that Pidgin Ghanaian English should be seen as another language variety which should be of linguistic interest, and needs more enquiries by linguists. Keywords : Morphology, Pidgin, English, Ghana
This piece discusses the interplay of folklore, folkloristics, and nationalism, bringing to light... more This piece discusses the interplay of folklore, folkloristics, and nationalism, bringing to light some of the complications arising in this conjunction. Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Europe is discussed, then focus is placed on the use of language as a primary vehicle for all folk ways, moving from a theoretical dimension, to folklore in practice. Some examples from Ghana are cited, to complete this folkloristic cycle that moves folklore from theory to a performance. The artistic function of folklore is important, not as an end in itself but as a means to achieving a higher end, which is the transmission of historical and cultural information. Content analysis was carried out on some European and Ghanaian literatures. Ghanaian indigenous music comes in the form folk music that displays the collective efforts of the ethnic group, with anonymous creativity. Not only does the music entertain its patrons but it also contains admonitions to the listener/dancer. While dancing to the rh...
Oral narratives feature prominently in the daily activities of African societies. These often for... more Oral narratives feature prominently in the daily activities of African societies. These often foreground future happenings. Epic song collapses time, linking past, present, and future events. Our main interest is the historical, linguistic and poetic aspects of the praise song of Naa Abdulai Yaakuba (Naɣbiɛɣu), who reigned from 1849 to 1876. This work is both ethnopoetic and ethnographic in nature, combining an inquiry into the genre of royal praise-naming, the nuances of language that goes to the making of this lore. Using ethnographic and secondary sources the paper ties history, song and performance to the daily lives of the Dagbamba of Ghana. An epic battle gives birth to this performance.
The effectiveness of radio as mass medium derives from its capacity to go beyond barriers of illi... more The effectiveness of radio as mass medium derives from its capacity to go beyond barriers of illiteracy, to strengthen democracy and governance. Participatory democracy entails a broad involvement of people in administering their nations or organizations. The populace gets involved in decision making by getting their voices heard. Private radio stations, more than the state-owned ones are better positioned and poised for the task of enhancing the mass participation in government business, by not only listening to what the government of the day has to tell them, but also giving them an avenue to hear other views and to also air their (alternative) views. Private radio facilitates the democratic ambitions of the populace, who get to dialogue with government and their representatives. Gone are the days when radio was a one way medium of communication, and all the audience could do was listen to a reader/speaker presenting an item. Today the listener can contribute to the current news i...
African Journal of Applied Research, Feb 23, 2015
International Journal of Linguistics, 2014
This paper, which centres on events at the court of the Yaa Naa in Yendi, Ghana, focuses on speec... more This paper, which centres on events at the court of the Yaa Naa in Yendi, Ghana, focuses on speech events where greetings are used. Greetings are ritually used to solidarise with peers, or show deference to higher ups on the social ladder, in a cultural milieu. The greetings and exchanges at times of meeting and leave-taking utilise asymmetric salutations to show respect to, and index the status of interactants, while symmetric ones aim at showing solidarity between interactants. The choice of code depends on the occasion, participants, and the nature of the subject under of the discourse. Participant observation was used to gather the data, which was matched against library material for analyses. These brought to the fore that, greetings are ritualised verbal sessions where people react with each other, and also show deference to higher ups on the social ladder. The established protocols are observed during these interactions.
South African Journal of African Languages