Want the history? Listen to the music! Historical evidence in Anlo Ewe musical practices: A case study of traditional song texts

摘要: This study is in response to the need examine aspects and functions of Ewe traditional music not commonly touched upon contribute historical documentation education through authority memory embedded songs. Ethnomusicological studies Anlo have typically focused on drumming rhythm. Some attention song texts, for example would challenged assertions that Africans no history, based assumptions there are documents. These notions prevailed primarily because scholars' definitions evidence were limited written Nevertheless, other researchers asserted organization every society attitudes incorporate its myths, legends, arts. In literate societies, these mostly preserved literature while non-literate ones do so orally thereby regard their oral tradition as basis or roots attitudes. this thesis, I assert Ewe, like most African used relied extensively a powerful tool aid memory, means repository events. Based new social theory approach—that tries reconstruct past from records ordinary lives—I narratives three epochs (Notsie migration, settlement evolution Euro-colonial encounter) texts musical practices. analyze both explicit implicit evidences relation available sources discuss linguistic variations changes occurred time space. Chapter one concerned with definition discussion scope aim study, well theoretical methodological approaches. then take an overview ethnography emphasis various taxonomies, periods role master musician chapter two. Chapters Three Four focus blemavuwo ametsitsivuwo respectively. five concludes analysis characteristics songs, considerations some scholarly thoughts implications.