Ghanaian Rhythms and Spirit Ignite Queen’s Park at CARIFESTA XV Workshop

The Queen’s Park Steel Shed pulsed with vibrant energy as music, dance, and storytelling from Ghana filled the space during the Ghana–Mansa Musa Workshop, a dynamic cultural exchange held as part of CARIFESTA XV. Led by Ernest Yaw Ntow Attuah of Bambu Heritage Production and renowned choreographer Nii-Tete Yartey, the Mansa World group brought traditional West African rhythms and movement to life, engaging attendees in games, performances, and a spirited cultural competition that turned the workshop into a full-fledged celebration of heritage and creativity.

The workshop began with introductions after which everyone joined a circle to be led in Ghanaian games and warm-ups, such as 2-4-6-1-1, a fast-paced clapping game where players had to follow the count in rhythm. Anyone who missed the beat or was caught counting was

out. The speaker’s way to tell if somebody was counting was by looking at their mouth; if he could see their teeth, it meant they were counting!

Then, the showcase began. The Ghanaian group split into two sections: dancers and  instrumentalists.

They played various songs on West African instruments like the djembe, a rope-tuned skin-covered goblet drum, and the shekere, a percussion instrument made from a dried gourd covered in a net of beads.

The Ghanaian performers danced in front of the instrumentalists, and the audience was encouraged to join and dance along with them.

After the performances, it was time for the competition part of the showcase. The Ghanaian group and the audience members were split into Actors/ Actresses, Dancers, and Instrumentalists, and each had an hour to create and learn a routine to perform.

Gabriel Edgal, chairman of Oakwood and Green Africa and a creative, declared the Actors as the first-place winners, the dancers placed second, and the instrumentalists came  third.

Each group was given its representative prizes by Gabriel Edgal. The instrumentalists started to play, and Gabriel sang an African song for the group.

The workshop ended with a special performance by Guyanese artist John Gibbons, better known as “Birdman.” He entertained the crowd with his unique bird sounds, made using folded leaves and a customized spoon. Gibbons is also known as a local artist, herbalist, drum-maker, folk musician, and multi-instrumentalist.

Written by:

Victoria Boyce

Youth Correspondent - CARIFESTA XV