How exciting it was to have the opportunity to experience authentic and traditional Ghanaian music months in advance! By pure chance it just so happened that a local elementary school a few blocks from my house was hosting the Obo Addy Legacy Project soon after I learned of my assignment to Ghana. The Obo Addy Legacy Project is an African performance group dedicated to inspiring and sharing the culture of Ghana to its audiences. The project was founded by the prestigious Ghanaian drummer, Obo Addy, who was considered a "master drummer" by age six, and became widely known for his musical skills and influence over the course of his lifetime. He received numerous awards for his work, and his legacy lives on today most prominently in Portland, OR.
I had been looking forward to their performance for weeks, and the performers did not disappoint. The kids at the elementary school were completely enthralled throughout the performance, and I am positive they exceeded all expectations.
Based on this brief experience, I am now looking forward to my journey more than ever. The colorful fabrics the performers wore and the intricate music they played have shown me a small sliver of the rich culture of Ghana, and the emotions it can evoke on an audience, large and small. Meeting the performers afterwards was even more surprising. They were the most warm and welcoming people I have ever met. Without even knowing my name they were introducing themselves and shaking my hand. Beyond that, the minute I mentioned I was going to study in Ghana they were giving me advice on everything from school uniforms to malaria pills. They seemed like the nicest people on earth!
https://oboaddylegacyproject.org/
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