Conversations with The Legendary Professor Albert Mawere Opoku

In 1957 Ghana became independent and Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah became it's first president. Nkrumah was steeped deep in the traditions and cultural practices of his ancestors. His ties with the late Nana Akua Oparebea and the Akonnedi Shrine - Kubease, Larteh, Ghana, West Africa, serve as an example of this, along with many other examples such as his creation of the Arts Center of Ghana in all of the then nine regions (there are ten now) of Ghana. He supported the creation of the Nation Dance companies of Ghana and was linked heavily with other African leaders of that time such as Ahmed Sékou Touré and Patrice Émery Lumumba.

Professor Albert Mawere Opoku and Professor Kwabena Nketia had a tremendous impact on the transfer of African dance and music ideas in Ghana and the United States. Both taught in universities in the United States and many well known practitioners of traditional African dance and drum passed through their hands. I uploaded this informal talk with Professor Albert Mawere Opoku mostly for nostalgic references for those who have benefitted from his diligent work and to serve as an example for students. This may help to show the importance of sitting at the feet of ones elders. I shall be a student for life and share with our people.


Professor Albert Mawere Opoku, creator of the National Dance Ensemble of Ghana while studying abroad at Juilliard in New York, studied Labanotation,  which is a system for writing dance movements. Upon his return to Ghana, Professor Opoku then sort to have Labanotation taught at the University of Ghana, Legon, so that his Ghanaian students could benefit from it. , Odette Blum was the instructor who taught elementary and intermediate level courses on Labanotation at the University of Ghana .

In this video from left to right are; A European promoter of African culture whose name I do not remember, Professor Nii-Yartey, Artistic Director of the Ghana Dance Ensemble at the University of Ghana from 1976-1993; and the National Dance Company of Ghana at the National Theatre of Ghana form 1993 to 2006, Professor Albert Mawere Opoku, Mame Grace of the National Dance Company of Ghana and Nana Kimati Dinizulu.

Documented by Nana Kimati Dinizulu in Accra, Ghana, West Africa

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah
• Nana Akua Oparebea
• Akonnedi Shrine
• Ahmed Sékou Touré
• Patrice Émery Lumumba
• Professor Albert Mawere Opoku
• Professor Kwabena Nketia
• Professor Nii-Yartey
• Nana Kimati Dinizulu
• Ghana Dance Ensemble
• Accra
• Adowa
• Kete
• African culture
• African durmming
• African Music/ African Dance

[PREKESEGhanaMedia]

Wow......Nana Kimati, I am impressed. I can see Nii Yartey. Yes, Professor originated and pioneered the teaching of Traditional Music and Dance at the Tertiary level in Ghana. He is credited with a lot of original choreographies of the Traditional dances. We miss you Professor. I was his student and he was wonderful.

[drkviolin2010]

wonderful!!!!