Abstract:
The study focuses on the design and production of selected Ga Mashie Proverbs on a
canvas. This is to revive, conserve and develop intangible art forms via proverbs. Not
much visual documentation has been done in terms of artistically documenting oral art
for both cultural and educational purpose with reference to the people of Ga Mashie.
The people of Ga Mashie have culturally and socially lived in accordance with
symbol systems especially in the practice of their arts. The quest for cultural
knowledge has fuelled the sense for a cultural revival and identity among the people
of Ga Mashie as resulted in the need for research to document some aspects of the Ga
Mashie culture and tradition as a reference material to augment the oral tradition
which is inadequate and fast waning. This study showcases thirty visual symbols,
created from the selected proverbs by the researcher with the aim of making them
promote visual and cultural literacy. In highlighting the significance of these selected
proverbs, the study employed art-based technique of a qualitative research approach
to represent them artistically. In doing this, qualitative research instrument such as
structured and unstructured interviews and observation methods were used in data
collection. However, the thematic analysis was used for the analysis of data obtained
from the interviews. The study gives credence to the Nelson’s semantic theory, which
says that pictures are perceptually more distinct from one another than word, thus
ensuring their chances of retrieval. What was significantly evident was that some of
the respondents especially the youthful population were not in sync with the direct
role proverbs play on their economic lives but were equally quick to point to how
proverbs have served as a guide to good behaviour. The assertion is further
strengthened by some inherent values others claim they learnt from proverbs such as
punctuality, chastity, hardworking, patience, selflessness etc. Traditional authorities
pointed to persistence chieftaincy disputes within Ga Mashie has contributed a lot to
the inability of the traditional authorities and the people to maintain their rich cultural
practices and values one of which is the oral tradition where proverbs are the main
elements for transmission. Several years of conflicts within the ‘We` leading to
divisions and cracks making it difficult for one to believe which of the practices and
customs to follow. The results of the study therefore provide readers and viewers of
the artworks, the possibility of recall of the painted proverbs. Based upon the findings
of the socio-cultural values embedded in these proverbs, this paper recommends that
more symbols should be created using the numerous proverbs and wise sayings that
are in existence in our local languages to salvage the declining image of those
proverbs as an important component of African art for communication.
In order to preserve these traditions in our contemporary era, there is the need to
frequently create and introduce new and innovative symbols from proverbs, otherwise
sayings and the life stories of our people into the system to augment the existing ones
as well as to educate and to tell their story to the outside world. The study further
recommends a continuous investigation into other means of preserving culture besides
oral tradition and written text.
Description:
A Dissertation / Thesis in the Department of Music Education, School of
Creative Arts, submitted to the School of Graduate Studies,
in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for award of degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Arts and Culture)
in the University of Education, Winneba
SEPTEMBER, 2022