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The Cultural Performance
Company, Ga Gbeke Bii "Children of Ghana, was formed in December of 2000 in the coastal city of Accra by Mr.
Kpani Addy, from the renowned Addy family of Accra. They are recognized by the Centre for National Culture’s Greater
Accra Regional Dance Association of Ghana. The words Ga Gbeke Bii translated to English mean the “Children of
Ghana”. The Cultural Performance Company is comprised of fifty teenagers
and pre-teens from the ghetto of Accra Central. Professional musicians, dancers, and acrobats direct, train and perform
with the youth. Their performances include acrobatics and dramatic presentations of cultural events as well as traditional
ceremonial music and dance. The troupe performs as an entire company or in smaller units depending on the preference of the
venue.
The troupe is comprised of youth from the getto of Accra Central and range from age 7
to 24 years old. The youth train and perform with master drummers, dancers and acrobats who have donnated their time to teaching
them the ancient musical arts of Ghana. A tutor provides the group with daily lessons in basic reading, writing and math.
Long hours of rehearsal six days a week have paid off in the creation of an outstanding troupe who possess something quite
remarkable and positive to share with the world. The troupe's powerful and joyful performances are both entertaining
and motivating. They have gained considerable recognition throughout Greater Accra region having performed for Ghanaian President
John Agyekum Kufuor and at numerous cultural events in and around the capital. The troupe also sponsor and perform for HIV
/Aids Awareness Dance and Music Competitions that Mr. Addy organizes.
Ga Gbeke Bii “Children
of Ghana” emanate the Ghanaian values of deep respect, dedication and enthusiasm. Their dedication to the authentic
traditional music and performing arts of Ghana has manifested it’s self in powerful and exciting presentations.
Traditional medicine people having witnessed their performances, have offered support by further training them in many of
the ancient dances, songs and ceremonies.
This Traditional Drum and Dance Troupe is sure
to inspire and please audiences throughout the United States, Africa, Asia and Europe. They perform for festivals,
schools and universities as well as at Performing Arts Centers. The brilliant joyful music, dance, and costuming of Ga Gbeke
Bii elevate the audiences awareness of the beauty and value of diversity in our world.
They
perform both ritual and social traditional music using a variety of percussion instruments and solid harmonies. They
also perform Traditional High Life music called Osibisaba. This highly danceable, lively music was first developed in
West Africa and is also known as World Beat.
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| Children of Ghana rehearsing High Life music |
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