Modernizing traditional Ghanaian stringed instruments
Ghanaian musician Afero however has made learning these complex instruments more accessible and simplifying the process, even for beginners.
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00:00 (upbeat music)
00:02 Afero's passion is to make, preserve,
00:09 and pass on authentic string instruments
00:12 from the old to the new generation.
00:14 Modernizing traditional Ghanaian string instruments.
00:19 - African string instruments are part of us.
00:22 The modernization methods that I use
00:25 for my metal tuning pegs,
00:26 instead of the woven cow skin tuning method.
00:31 But after all this,
00:33 I make sure I keep the authentic traditional sound.
00:38 (upbeat music)
00:41 - Playing Ghanaian string instruments can be challenging,
00:55 requiring experience, skill, and dedication.
00:58 However, Afero has made learning
01:01 these complex instruments more accessible
01:04 and simplifying the process, even for beginners.
01:07 Theophilus Kakrebisi Assemeni, widely known as Afero,
01:12 embarked on his career immediately
01:15 after completing his studies,
01:17 leveraging his background in music and art.
01:20 Since then, he has continued to forge ahead
01:23 without turning back.
01:24 (upbeat music)
01:27 (hammering)
01:29 - I source my materials from the local markets
01:33 around my community.
01:35 And also the tuning pegs,
01:37 I got those things from the musical shops.
01:40 And also the cow skin,
01:42 I also got those things from the local market as well.
01:45 The factors that I take into consideration is the sound.
01:50 There are certain woods that has a certain quality of sound.
01:55 And when you talk of the mazonia and also the red cedar,
01:59 they naturally have a very good sound for music.
02:04 And also the kind of calabash, not too thick,
02:06 not too slim, like the medium kind of thickness.
02:11 Then from there, I know by the end of the day,
02:15 the instrument will definitely sound good.
02:19 For me, strings instruments are more spiritual to me.
02:24 They touch my soul, you know,
02:26 and they happen to be one of the oldest instruments to exist.
02:30 Yes, I started adding more skills to it
02:33 because of my creative background.
02:36 So any instrument that I made,
02:38 I make sure I modernize it to be more friendly
02:41 because I always do handmade instruments.
02:44 Yes, so sometimes instead of using the wooden tuning pegs,
02:49 I use the metal tuning pegs to make easy tuning
02:54 for even beginners.
02:56 - String instruments such as the kora, seprewa, and gita
03:01 are deeply intertwined with Ghanian cultural identity.
03:05 They are often associated with specific groups
03:08 and their traditional music,
03:10 serving as symbol of cultural heritage.
03:13 - What I'm making now is called kora,
03:15 the West Afghan harp.
03:16 My processes of making this instrument
03:19 are getting my kalabashes,
03:21 and also my wooden neck and the skin
03:24 that I will install on the kalabash.
03:26 But first of all, I make sure I treat the kalabash very well
03:30 and protect them from insects.
03:32 So I always use the chair pins
03:34 to tuck all the skin on the kalabash.
03:39 Then I fix my strings,
03:41 and select the right strings fixed on each notes
03:47 to get the right sound.
03:49 So from there, the tuning process take on
03:51 and I'm good to go.
03:53 You can feel the heaviness
03:55 of the bass side already.
04:00 - With each instrument meticulously handcrafted,
04:03 Afero's dedication to preserving and sharing the beauty
04:07 of these musical treasures shines through
04:09 in every piece he produces.
04:11 - I make kora, that is 21 strings instrument.
04:15 I also make the kama lengoni.
04:17 It's also an African pentatonic tuning instrument,
04:20 and also the goje.
04:21 The goje is also one spiritual instrument.
04:25 The string is made up of the horse tail.
04:27 - Driven by his passion for his craft,
04:32 Afero has ventured into the realm of invention,
04:35 creating his very own musical instruments
04:37 known as the kadanu, aptly named the wisdom strings.
04:42 This unique creation is a testament
04:44 to Afero's creativity and dedication
04:47 to pushing the boundaries of musical innovation.
04:50 - Kadanu means the wisdom strings.
04:55 The whole shape of the instrument is like a boat
04:58 on a river to deliver a message or a good news
05:02 or to unite the world.
05:03 Feel the sound.
05:06 - Afero holds a firm belief that each string resonating
05:11 from these indigenous instruments,
05:13 whether played within or beyond his homeland,
05:16 carries a profound spiritual significance
05:19 and pays homage to the rich traditions
05:22 of Ghanaian heritage and African culture.
05:24 (Afero singing in foreign language)
05:29 (upbeat music)
05:31 (Afero singing in foreign language)
05:36 (upbeat music)
05:38 Bye.