Megborna

I bought Megborna at a streetside shop on the corner of a big junction in southwestern Ghana (known as the Volta Region), near the border with Togo. The people here call themselves Anlo Ewe. As in most parts of southern Ghana, there are a lot of churches and church music groups around here. There are also a lot of fishing boats and seaside villages made of natural materials.

The Ewe language sounds particularly snappy to my ear. On this recording, the slow, polyrhythmic saunter of bells, handclaps, and choral harmonies echo the sounds of overnight village prayer meetings that would often keep me awake in Ghana.

Church-related music is some of the most exciting in Ghana, if you like powerful singing and mathematical drums. But watch out for the commercial gospel cassettes that crowd the markets and airwaves. Mainstream electronic gospel, often infused wit flaccid reggae grooves, would be of little interest to all but the most hardcore non-Ghanaian ear, unfortunately.

Luckily, locally-produced tapes (i.e. not big city productions made for the radio and high volume distribution) like Megborna contain much in the way of spirited jams for the adventurous listener.

 “Yehowa Nye Kplolanye“ from the cassette, Anloga Special.