Koo Nimo recording: Koo Nimo and Adadam Agofomma, 1998-09-07

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Amponsah, Daniel, 1934-
Title
Koo Nimo recording: Koo Nimo and Adadam Agofomma
Dates
1998-09-07
Quantity
1 videotapes  :  1 vct (S-VHS (NTSC), color); Duration: 1:30:00
Collection Number
1998014
Summary
Recorded outside Koo Nimo's home in Kumasi, Ghana, September 7, 1998; donated to Archives by Koo Nimo (copied from his PAL copy)
Repository
University of Washington Ethnomusicology Archives
University of Washington
Ethnomusicology Archives
Box 353450
Seattle, WA
98195-3450
Telephone: 2065430974
ethnoarc@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Access is restricted.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Daniel "Koo Nimo" Amponsah, is an Asante "living legend" who performs the old and the new traditions of Ghana. His music brings to life the meaning of the Sankofa image, a symbolic bird of Asante, looking backwards with one foot forward to the future. Koo Nimo's musical background began at age nineteen when he was teaching drumming, guitar and brass band music in his village of Foase. Trained in chemistry, he worked at the University of Science and Technology in Kumasi as chief laboratory technician until his retirement in 1998. During this time he was an active musician and public figure, and was also the first Ghanaian to produce a compact disc of his music, Osabarima. In 1957, the year of Ghana's independence, he formed "Adadam Agofomma" (Going Back to Roots) ensemble. He was the president of the Musicians Union for 10 years and became a recipient of the Grand Medal for Lifetime Service to Ghana from the Head of State. Koo Nimo has been a source of inspiration for many musicians through the force of his character and his creative blend of Ghanaian musical forms, Spanish guitar style, and jazz chord progressions. He has performed internationally, at Lincoln Center in New York, Australia, U.S. and Britain. He can also be seen in several documentaries: "Crossing Over", "Repercussions" and the latest, "Dr. Gates's Travels through Africa".

- University of Washington School of Music Adowa Music and Dance flyer, May 22, 2000

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Contents summary: 1) Koo Nimo and his drum ensemble Adadam Agofomma (with dancers) play different forms of Adowa; 2) Demonstration of proper way to don Kente cloth (Ashanti garment); 3) Ensemble with fontomfrom added play different forms of Fontomfrom; 4) Koo Nimo and palm wine group; Seprewa (harp-lute) player performs; 5) Ensemble plays Kponlogo on Kete drums.

Documentation assistance from Valerie Price 3/99.

Opening header: "Commodore Video Productions Presents - Adadam Agofomma, Kumasi - Ghana"

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Description Dates
1998014-0001
1 videotape : VCT; Tracks: 1
00:00 - 37:30 - Koo Nimo and his drum ensemble Adadam Agofomma with dancers play different forms of Adowa (all Ashanti instruments). 37:30 - 51:30 - Demonstration of proper way to don Kente cloth (Ashanti garment); different ways of wearing different cloths. 51:30 - 1:00:46 - Drum ensemble with Fontomfrom (drum) added; Fontomfrom dance with gestures (older male dancer wearing black funeral cloth; young male dancer) 1:00:46 - 1:18:00 - Koo Nimo and palm wine group (2 guitars, Apentemma, Prempensua, Dawuro, Axatse, Fritsiwa) 1:18:00 - 1:20:44 - Musician plays Ashanti Seprewa (harp-lute from northern Ghana) 1:20:44 - 1:25:24 - Drum ensemble plays Kponlogo on Kete drums (Ga music) (with dancer)
1998-09-07

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Ashanti (African people)
  • Ashanti (African people)--Folklore
  • Ashanti Music
  • Dance--Ghana
  • Drums (Musical instruments)
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Harp
  • Music--Ghana
  • Palm Wine Music
  • Textile fabrics, Ashanti
  • Video recordings in ethnomusicology

Geographical Names

  • Africa
  • Ghana
  • West Africa

Form or Genre Terms

  • Sound recordings
  • Video recordings

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Amponsah, Daniel, 1934- (performer)
    Corporate Names
    • Adadam Agofomma (performer)