Abstract:
An important part of oral communication that constitutes a noble component
of language among Ghanaians is the proverb which is used in everyday
correspondence, music, poetry, and oral drama. Many Akan proverbs are represented in
Asante goldweights which were used as counter weights for gold dust and nuggets, the
main currency of ethnic Ghana. The use of gold dust and nuggets as currency was
forbidden in 1889 by the Gold Dust and Nuggets Ordinance, while keeping of
goldweights became illegal in 1896 as a result of the Weights and Measures Ordinance;
hence, a massive sell-out of Asante gold-weights to European merchants leading to the
decline in the goldsmith’s art of metal casting. This study delved into the production of
contemporary goldweights based on contemporary proverbs and activities from about
1920 using the Asante technique of the cire-perdue metal casting process. Both primary
and secondary data were used in the study. The total population for the study comprised
all proverb creators, traditional rulers, metal casters, educators in Art and Cultural
studies, and tertiary level students in Art and Cultural studies in Asante. Primary data
were purposively collected from 30 research participants in seven communities within
Asante including; Appiadu, Ayeduase, Bantama, Deduako, Dwease, Krofofrom, and
Kwamo, whereas secondary data were based on information gathered from Museums,
galleries, books, newspapers, journals, periodicals, theses and project reports, and
internet sources. The qualitative research approach was used as methodology, and the
descriptive and explorative research designs were employed. A self-designed drawing
interview guide was prepared and used for the data collection. Outcome of the data
collection was the gathering of 216 contemporary Asante proverbs that were used for
the casting of 186 miniature sculptures in brass using the Asante technique of the lostwax
process. Out of the 216 contemporary proverbs, 124 were created by the proverb
composers while 15 were composed by the researcher with the remaining 77 from
secondary sources most of which were English proverbs. The study found out related
works of contemporary items during the data collection. These items including cars,
motorbikes, electrical appliances, and educational materials were, however, not
attached to contemporary Asante proverbs but were only used as curios and decorative
items. The study found out that while creation of classical or indigenous proverbs is
attributed to our forefathers, Asante contemporary men and women are potentially
creators of contemporary proverbs. This study delved into production and attachment of
these contemporary items to contemporary proverbs and their relevance to the
preservation of the Asante culture as contribution to knowledge. The study concludes
that the cast contemporary goldweights would supplement the already existing
goldweights in Ghana and the idea that was left to the researcher alone could now be
accessible to the general public. It is finally recommended that, while the situation of
the classical and modern Ghanaian periods is static; the contemporary Ghanaian period
is potentially dynamic and would undergo additional changes with more of new
contemporary items and events. Many more contemporary proverbs could, therefore, be
created through oral communication to enhance the production of more contemporary
goldweights for the development of the metal casting industry in Asante in particular
and Ghana in general.
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC EDUCATION, SCHOOL
OF CREATIVE ARTS, SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE
STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA IN PARTIAL
FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (ARTS AND CULTURE) DEGREE