AFRICAN RAINFOREST SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS AND CULTURE
New Edubiase, Ashanti Region
Background:
The effects of globalization are being felt at an ever increasing rate in countries like Ghana. Traditions that sustained people for untold generations are being quickly eroded by the invasion of western religious and economic influences. The consumer ethic has effectively replaced the barter system which operated throughout society.
In spite of these pressures, traditional crafts continue to play an important role in Ghanaian society. The Ashanti people were well known for their skills when working with clay, wood, brass and fabric. In addition, their drumming and dances evolved to reflect their history and have been passed on from generation to generation.
New Edubiase is located in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, south of Kumasi, and north of the Pra River. The chief of New Edubiase, Nana Edubiasehene, has long been a supporter of Ashanti tradition and culture. His dancing and drumming troupe is one example of this. Recently he allocated stool lands to be used for the location of the new African Rainforest School of Performing Arts and Culture.
Overview:
A new school which caters to performing arts and culture will be established at New Edubiase. It will build on the rich heritage which is already present. It will achieve three goals through its establishment: 1. it will create an educational environment; 2. it will also provide the basis on which to build a tourism industry for the community; 3. it will create new jobs in the community. The attainment of these will provide young people new reasons to remain in the community and will enable them to be productive members of society.
Location:
The School will locate on the outskirts of New Edubiase, nestled beside the Numia Forest Reserve. Land for this purpose was granted by Nana Edubiasehene, who is the chief of the town and Head of the Edubiase Division of the Adansi Traditional Area.
Objectives:
To provide educational opportunities for Ghanaian students and exchange opportunities for foreign students who are eager to learn more about Ashanti culture
- Reinforce and revive Ghanaian tradition and culture
- Employment for youth in the town
- Source of revenue for the community
- Encourage tourism in the New Edubiase area
Benefits:
- Employment opportunities
Educational and tourist facilities create a wide range of jobs, from management and teaching to service providers. These will all be new positions that are not present in the community. It is estimated that more than one hundred jobs will result once this facility is operational.
- Economic spin-offs for the community
Food and lodging will be required for tourists and students. Services such as transportation and guiding for tourists will also be required. The increased economic activity in the area will also provide the basis for services such as internet communication which are currently not viable in the community. Existing businesses will also receive the benefit of new customers who will want to buy their products and services.
- Strengthening of Ghanaian identity and pride in the local youth
The presence of a School which promotes the traditions of Ghanaian peoples will encourage students to seriously consider and value their heritage.
Approach:
The School will feature two main components: one which will provide learning and training and cater to students; one which will provide demonstrations and sale of crafts and will cater to tourists. Throughout the School, students and visitors will be made aware of environmental issues facing not only the country but the entire globe.
1. Education and training
Classes leading to a diploma will be offered in the following areas of performing arts: traditional and contemporary African dance; traditional drumming and modern African music, with emphasis on Ghanaian highlife; acting, production set-design, make-up for theatre and film.
Training using an apprenticeship format will be offered in the following crafts: pottery; brass casting; wood carving; fabrics including kente weaving, adinkra, fashion.
Classes will be offered covering the history of the Ashanti, including traditional spirituality. Classes in the Twi and other languages for non-speakers will also be available.
Applications will be accepted from Ghanaian students including those who may be living in the Diaspora, and from foreign students who want a cross-cultural experience.
2. Cultural Centre
For the benefit of visitors to the School, demonstrations will be provided by crafts people, showing methods and ingredients involved in each trade.
Shops will offer for sale the goods which are being produced.
Elders will be used as resource people for class work and for events such as story telling for organized groups of visitors.
3. Environmental Ingredient
The School will take an active role in creating awareness of the environmental issues which confront the country with increasing force. The Ghana Wildlife Society will be invited to provide a prominent presence on the campus. This will continually remind students and tourists alike of the role which all must play in protecting our environment.
It is suggested that the plight of the endangered Picathartes gymnocephalus, (white necked rockfowl) be used to highlight the cause. The Wildlife Society may provide guided tours for tourists through nearby forest reserves and in search for the rock fowl. The Society can further organize educational features at the School to invite local schools to come for day trips, combining the experience of guided forest hikes with a visit to the craft demonstrations.
Facilities:
Lecture hall(s), workshops, craft shops, student dormitories, performing theatre(s), administration office
Building design and construction
It is not well known in modern Ghana that prior to the arrival of the Europeans to West Africa, the Ashanti had developed a unique architectural design. The Ashanti constructed buildings which were open and airy in order to provide relief from the heat of the tropical rain forest in which they were located. They used high pitched rooflines to provide excellent shelter from the rain. This in turn gave the buildings a very striking and attractive appearance. The environment in which the Ashanti lived provided the construction materials which were used. Historically the city of Kumasi featured buildings of great beauty, incorporating into them intricate designs which were drawn from the people’s spiritual understanding of their surroundings.
The African Rainforest School of Performing Arts and Culture will use local materials wherever practicable in its construction. The building design will reflect historic Ashanti architectural style. This will ensure that the uniqueness of the School is demonstrated not only in its programs but in its buildings and surroundings.
