TY - JOUR
T1 - Witchcraft themes in popular Ghanaian music
AU - Adinkrah, Mensah
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Music has a vital role in all societies, serving as a major conduit for the transmission of cultural values, beliefs, and norms. To investigate music's role in the acquisition, dissemination, and perpetuation of Akan witchcraft ideology in Ghana, West Africa, this article explores the representation of witchcraft in highlife and gospel music through the example of three songs. Critical analysis of the song lyrics, transcribed from audio-cassette tapes purchased in Ghana, then translated into English from the Akan language, reveals prevailing Ghanaian beliefs about witches and witchcraft, suggesting that music may play a supportive, if not pivotal, role in the reinforcement and dissemination or transmission of witchcraft beliefs.
AB - Music has a vital role in all societies, serving as a major conduit for the transmission of cultural values, beliefs, and norms. To investigate music's role in the acquisition, dissemination, and perpetuation of Akan witchcraft ideology in Ghana, West Africa, this article explores the representation of witchcraft in highlife and gospel music through the example of three songs. Critical analysis of the song lyrics, transcribed from audio-cassette tapes purchased in Ghana, then translated into English from the Akan language, reveals prevailing Ghanaian beliefs about witches and witchcraft, suggesting that music may play a supportive, if not pivotal, role in the reinforcement and dissemination or transmission of witchcraft beliefs.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=57749124041&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/03007760802009791
DO - 10.1080/03007760802009791
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:57749124041
VL - 31
SP - 299
EP - 311
JO - Popular Music and Society
JF - Popular Music and Society
SN - 0300-7766
IS - 3
ER -