INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
Faculty Travel Report

 


Name John Charles Flood

Faculty/Rank Limited part time seasonal employee

Department Music and Dance

College Professional Studies and Fine Arts

Office phone 619.594.7452

E-mail address jcflood@mail.sdsu.edu

Proposal title Summer workshops in Ghana, 2005

Country/ies visited Ghana, Togo West Africa

Institution visited Various, University of Ghana, Legon; National Theater; Institute for Music and Development; Center for National Culture; Eli Preparatory School, Evangelical Presbyterian Primary School, Traditional villages and towns.

Dates of travel July 15, 2005 – August 15, 2005

Number of student participants: Three students, One staff, One faculty

Previous IP proposals submitted and grants awarded
(list titles, countries and dates):

International Travel Grant from SDSU, Ghana, July 19 – August 18, 1999
International Travel Grant from SDSU, Ghana and Togo, July 20 – August 8, 2001

Have all required reports been submitted? Yes

Other funding for this activity available/applied for: No

Proposal Abstract (75 word maximum): John Flood directed a group of students, staff and faculty to Ghana and Togo, West Africa for one month of intensive workshops in traditional music and dance in July and August in 2005. The group received training and lectures from Dr. Komla Amoaku, Institute for Music and Development, Kobla Lazekpo, California Institute for the Arts and University of California, Los Angeles, and Kwame Degbor, Centre for National Culture. The group was based in Ho, Volta Region as well as one week spent in the traditional village of Anyako.


Travel report:

I. Opening/overview of intentions/activity This was the third trip to Ghana and Togo made by students, staff and faculty from San Diego State University for the purpose of experiencing traditional music and dance in the Volta Region. All the participants had received previous instruction in traditional dance forms previous to their travel so that all the fieldwork was conducted at an advanced level. All training, lectures, and activities were experienced in cultural context as the focus was on traditional Ewe and Anlo Ewe music. One week was spent living in the traditional family compound of Kobla Ladzekpo, one of the foremost scholars of Ghanaian music in the United States. Participants experienced traditional home life as well as local performances. Training was intense with morning and afternoon workshops in music, dance, language, and other arts as well as field trips to local area activities.

II. In preparation for the trip abroad
- collaborated with ……….

Dr. Komla Amoaku, Institute for Music and Development
Korkor Amartiefio, Institute for Music and Development
korkoramarteifio@yahoo.com

Kwame Degbor, Center for National Culture
dancedeg@yahoo.com

Kobla Ladzekpo, UCLA Ethnomusicology Dept and California Institute for the Arts,
www.zadonu.com

Dr. William Anku, Music Department Chairman, University of Ghana, Legon.
woanku@yahoo.com

Earl Saunders, Ghana-San Diego Sister Cities
earlsaunders@earthlink.net

James Amoakoh, President, Ghana Association, San Diego
adu-acquahfamily98@peoplepc.com

Harold Akyampon, Percussive Arts Society Ghana representative
bamaaya@yahoo.com

- e mail contacts: see above
- researched university statistics and compared to SDSU(e.g. number of students enrolled. Established on previous tour 1999
- confirmed that prospective university is “recognized” by the Ministry of Education Established on previous tour 1999

III. Upon arrival/specific activity

- What/who are the contacts made at the prospective partner university?

Dr. William Anku, Music Department Chairman, University of Ghana, Legon.
woanku@yahoo.com

- What particular major/minor is of interest? All participants of this trip were advanced students in music and dance.

IV. Conclusion, recommendation, and next step?


- Why is this particular institution valuable for SDSU?
- As demonstrated on previous trips there is high student, staff and faculty interest in traveling to Ghana over the summer break for the purpose of studying music and dance in traditional cultural context. It is important to travel to Africa and experience the culture there. Previous experience in music and dance give participants a direct means to share with the people in Ghana when they encounter them.

- Sustainability of project (is there a high likelihood that students in the department will be interested in studying the proposed subject area at
the prospective partner university and vice versa)?

The tentative nature of the African Music program as it exist in the School of Music and Dance in relation to the past budget cuts suffered by the University makes the commitment to the program of future travel to Ghana in doubt. All three African ensemble classes were cut in January of 2005 and only one of these classes was reinstated at the end of May. San Diego State no longer offers the performance group (Music 170 Advanced performance) that all of the SDSU students who previously traveled to Ghana participated in. There are no longer public concerts at San Diego State Smith Recital Hall each semester to showcase the opportunities provided to the students in Ghana each summer. These concerts were an important outlet to the community and were often sold out. The activity lab course (Music 445) in African music attached to the introduction to world music course (Music 151) has also been cut. This was an important introduction to students from outside the School of Music and Dance and several past trips included students introduced to African Music through this course. It is commendable that some students still traveled to Ghana this summer under this cloud of uncertainty. If a comprehensive program of African music is to be sustained it appears that it must be supported by the University as a whole. The Office of International Programs has been very supportive of faculty travel to Ghana in the past. Students have received scholarships from the World Music Program and African Music program at SDSU each trip. The pool of students, faculty and community members has however been severely reduced because of the reduced visibility of the program at San Diego State.

How will this exchange program (or expansion) increase participation by students in international activities, or enhance international learning environments for students?

Each student or faculty member that travels to Ghana becomes an ambassador for a part of the world that is distant and unknown for most people. The sharing of experiences by the students and faculty stirs the interest of their fellow students and faculty. All participants on this trip were a direct result of contact with students who had been on previous trips. There are students who are already eagerly asking when they can make deposits for a trip next summer. The interest is tremendous and if San Diego State is interested in an ongoing relationship with Africa, particularly Ghana and Togo all that is needed is promotion through a course of study offered in the course catalog.

What students will benefit?

As demonstrated in previous trips as well as this summer's program, students from various academic majors receive an enriching experience that will be with them for the rest of their lives. The proof is that several of the students from the first trip returned for the second. Students of the third trip are acquaintances of the previous trips. One of the students will attend either the University of Ghana or work with UNESCO after this academic year. Any of these students would be happy to give their own accounts to your office directly.

What will be their activities (e.g. course work, international internships, field research, etc.)?

All these are possible with the Institute for Music and Development under the direction of Dr. Komla Amoaku.

What will be your role in promoting and supporting these activities?

I am prepared to continue my roll as program director.


V. Additional Information

Friday, July 15, Left San Diego on KLM airlines for Ghana, the flight experienced mechanical problems in Minneapolis so we spent the night in London courtesy of KLM. We arrived in Ghana one day late.

Saturday, July 16. Landed in Kotoka airport in Accra, Ghana. Participants and luggage were loaded into a van and traveled to our base in Ho, Volta Region. This trip takes some three hours by car.

Sunday, July 17 Attended the traditional events surrounding the funeral of Togbe Adase, asafofia of Ho Ahoe, experienced Asafo processions and fontomfrom drumming in traditional context.

Monday, July 18 Begin morning and afternoon classes in Asafo drumming and dance as well as royal fontomfrom drumming,

Tuesday, July 19 Morning class in Asafo drumming, Afternoon lecture on Traditional religions, lifestyles and music by Dr. Komla Amoaku. Evening performance by Dunenyo, a local Borborbor dance group.

Wednesday, July 20 Observation of morning Asafo procession through the town, Exhibition of musketry at chiefs palace. Afternoon class in Asafo Drumming and Royal Fontomfrom Drumming.

Thursday, July 21 Morning class in Asafo Drumming and Royal Fontomfrom Drumming. Market Day in Ho, purchase traditional material and take it to seamstress and tailors for clothes to be made. Travel to traditional village of Akrofu for dinner with Togbe Kwaku Foli IX.

Friday, July 22 Morning class in Asafo Drumming and Royal Fontomfrom Drumming. Afternoon demonstration on Teaching African Music through games and songs by Kwame Degbor, Centre for National Culture.

Saturday, July 23 Field trip to Sokode Etoe and observe and participate in classes and performances in traditional music with local musicians from the Sunu experience.

Sunday, July 24 Church service at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, discussion on the many faces of Christian worship.

Monday, July 25 Morning class in Asafo Drumming and Royal Fontomfrom Drumming. Experience market day in Ho, shop for traditional cloth, vegetables and fruits, honey and observe various enterprises.

Tuesday, July 26 Morning class in Asafo Drumming and Royal Fontomfrom Drumming. In the afternoon we traveled to the village of Kpetoe to observe weavers of traditional kente cloth. We attend an evening performance by Ahegbebu Train. They performed traditional Ewe dances: Gahu, Kinka, Akpoka, Ga, Husago.

Wednesday July 27 Morning class in Asafo Drumming and Royal Fontomfrom Drumming.

Thursday, July 28 Depart for Anyako and the home of Kobla Ladzekpo. We crossed into Togo several times on the way and stopped and visited in a border village. Upon arrival in Anyako we had discussions on traditional Anlo Ewe funeral activities and home life. Tour of the area and local fishing procedures.

Friday, July 29 Morning performance at Eli Preparatory School in Anyako for graduation activities and traditional performances. Afternoon observations of processions and traditional funeral rites for local linguist, two community members and a cult member. Compare and contrast the differences in the three different events.

Saturday, July 30 Attend processions and traditional funeral rites for local linguist, community members and cult member. Compare and contrast the differences in the three different events. Observe the procession and rituals surrounding a Yeve cult member. In the afternoon there was a performance by a traditional Gahu group.

Sunday, July 31 Attend more funeral events as well as tour the Ladzekpo compound and property. Visit Ladzekpo land and family cemetery. We departed Anyako and visited Keta beach for some relaxation. We returned to Ho in the late afternoon.

Monday, August 1 Begin morning classes in Bawa and Agbekor. Afternoon classes in Asafo, Fontomfrom.

Tuesday, August 2 Morning classes in Husago, Agbadza, Kinka, Bawa,
Agbekor, Afternoon classes in Asafo and Fontomfrom. Market Day, Dinner at Freedom Hotel.

Wednesday, August 3 Morning classes in Husago, Agbadza, Kinka, Bawa,
Agbekor, Afternoon classes in Asafo and Fontomfrom.

Thursday, August 4 Morning classes in Husago, Agbadza, Kinka, Bawa,
Agbekor. Afternoon classes in Asafo and Fontomfrom. Travel to village of Akrofu for a performance of traditional Gabada (Egbanegba) Dance, which is made up of different rhythms such as Zigi, Gbolo, Adzomadoaloe.

Friday, August 5 Morning classes in Husago, Agbadza, Kinka, Bawa,
Agbekor. Afternoon classes in Asafo and Fontomfrom.

Saturday, August 6 Fieldtrip to the village of Tafi, greet traditional chief Togbe Debrah IV, and elders. Visit monkey sanctuary outside of village of Tafi to observe the Cercopithecus mona (Mona monkey). Late lunch at Goldfinger Restaurant in Ho.

Sunday, August 7 Free day, optional church service.

Monday, August 8 Morning classes in Husago, Agbadza, Kinka, Bawa,
Agbekor, Afternoon classes in Asafo and Fontomfrom.

Tuesday, August 9 Fieldtrip to the capital city of Accra to ship instruments at the airport. Lunch and dinner in Accra. Evening visit to the home of Koko Amarteifio to discuss trip and review all arrangements.

Wednesday, August 10 Morning classes in Husago, Agbadza, Kinka, Bawa,
Agbekor, Afternoon classes in Asafo and Fontomfrom.

Thursday, August 11 Fieldtrip to Accra for shopping. Visit University of Ghana and the Music Department, Courtesy call with Dr. William Anku, Chairman of the music department. Visit University bookstore for purchase of Books. Travel to woodcarving studios for shopping and Art Center for shopping.

Friday, August 12 Morning classes in Husago, Agbadza, Kinka, Bawa,
Agbekor, Afternoon classes in Asafo and Fontomfrom.
Saturday, August 13 Final Performance at the Village of Sokode at the house of Dr. Sunu. Observe and perform in traditional music studied over the past month. Traditional Ghanaian dishes serves for dinner.

Sunday, August 14 Travel to Accra for departure that evening on KLM airlines.