Dance with the kings 2008 was as colorful and spectacular as last years durbar. Some analysts even place a higher grade on this year’s durbar which took place on Saturday the 30th of August at Anton de Komplein in Amsterdam South East.
The day will particularly be remembered for the extraordinary performances of the dancing groups and the high turn out of people of non-Ghanaian origin.
The program featured dances from across the ten regions of Ghana. Bawaa was performed from the Upper West Region, Bamaya , Takai and Tora from Northern Region, Kete Adowaa and Fomtomfrom from the souterhn Akan speaking regions, Boboobo from Volta Region and Kpalogo representing the Ga/Adanbe areas (Greater Accra/Tema areas). It was particularly interesting to watch the acrobatic display during the Kpalogo-dance, secondly it is important to note that the dancers were made of two groups. A professional group and another made up of young Ghanaian girls most of whom were born and bred in Amsterdam. Training third generation Ghanaian immigrant children to perform Ghanaian dances is a land able objective many Ghanaians must support.
Due to reasons yet to be identified. The six kings and their linguists, invited from Ghana to take part in this years festivities were unable to attend. They were refused visa’s by the Dutch embassy in Ghana.
However their absence was barely noticed as the Ghanaian chiefs resident in the Netherlands very ably stood in their stead (shoes).
The chiefs at the durbar include:
• Barima Asamoah Kofi IV. Abakomahenene of Abrem Traditional Area
• Baafour Frimpong Effa Panin II. Kontihene of Akyem Adadientam of the Akyem Abuakwa Trad. Area
• Nana Odei-Nsiah Akodanpa II. Bantemasahene and Odikro of Afrancho Atwima
• Nana Asabea. Akobeahemaa of Akuapim
• Nana Akua Afihemaa. Dompia Apagyahene of the Akuapim Traditional Area
• Nana Addo Kwaatta. Asafohene of Akropong in the Akuapim Traditional Area
• Nana Oheniba Kwaku Amoateng, Gyaakye Gyidomhene
Also present to grace the occasion was Naa Aforkor Omaeduro, Katamansu Taaye Manye. She had travelled from the UK to take part in the festival.
Conspicuously absent was the Ghana’s ambassador to the Netherlands. Dr Mrs. Grace Amponsah Ababio. For reasons know only to the embassy not even a representative was sent to the festivities.
As from 11am guests and general public began to arrive. At about 13.30pm the Ghanaian chiefs were ushered into the durbar grounds by the various cheers, drumming and dancing and “Asafo” groups.
At 14.15pm, the chair lady of the south east district council Miss. Elvira Sweet formally opened the durbar. This was after a Muslim prayer by Imam Muffi Ababudje and pouring of libation by “Ochaime Boadi Yeboah“.
Other speakers were Mr. Jude Kehla who traced the history of chieftaincy in Africa and the role of chiefs in present day Africa.
Miss Gifty Manukure, the Dance with the Kings coordinator gave a welcome speech.
Finally Barima Asamoah Kofi IV, spoke on behalf of the chiefs.
After the speeches which were dispersed with interlude of dancing, It was all music and dance.
Contact
WIPSA
Bijlmerdreef 1239
1103 TX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Phone
+31 (0)6 43 06 1008
+31 (0)20 60 00 618
E-mail
wipsa@planet.nl
