Dodowa Forest Drummers Anaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?
It wasn't that Isaac Ayihi played the drum for me during my book launch “Catalyst for Change in the DangmeLand” that has made Isaac Ayihia household name in Dodowa and the dangme land right now. Anyway I have heard a lot about the Dodowa forest drummers and about the young man at the fore front of the team but in real fact when I came in contact with him during my book launch ooh boy!
I was very surprise we have such a young talented man in the dangme land who has mastered the act of playing drum. Before my speech he pops up with his skills of playing the drum with a young lady reciting the drum and there we go! Ki Kong, Ki Kong, Ki Kong, Kong, Kong and I look at him. He played the drum and I felt good and I said no wonder the chiefs also enjoys the drum during special occasions.
Isaac Ayihi was former students at Ghanata Senior high and I was told but rather he and his team are finding it very difficult to be exposed and promoted in the Shai-Osudoku land.
No – a lot more drums have been played by this young man in Dodowaand in the country I was told.
It was the class with which Isaac Ayihi and the Dodowa Forest Drummers did it that stuck it on the mind.
Each drum showed him to be a nimble predator in a striker's position.
Each drum was played in a fast, volatile situation in which anything could go wrong. Spectators were desperately lounging at him from all sides. I felt bigger by throwing myself forward.Ooooooh boy!
In order to play, Isaac and the Dodowa Forest Drummers had to show balance, fitness and accuracy –all together! And each time he plays the drum, he passed all the tests.MaMaMeya!
My first encounter with him wasperfect and displayed the dangme tradition of the type that Ghanaian leaders love so much: he deftly tapped the drum and the young girl recite the poem ooh my God! It was low, it was well targeted and it was deadly and went through me like Gugumi.
The young girl was reciting the poem with lots of appellations and I said no wonder God also loves appellations and he will release his blessings upon you if you worship and praise him.
The guest responded with a mighty roar of approbation.
Those who had doubted the wisdom of the youth in the dangmeland should better start thinking because we have creative young men in Shai-Osudoku.
He played the drum but he was as cool as a cucumber in each instance.
If he was a footballer then I will say he garnered a hat-trick.
And since it was the first time that I had encounter with him I will say he had scored a hat trick in his career, you can easily understand why he is currently, King of Dodowa Forest Drums. This guy has a good carrier and needs a push in the dangme land but who will lead the push?
Other agrees that Ayihinever seems to give up the drum, and that he always tries to “win at all time”. Which leaves him a bit tired and probably, less lethal as a drummer I can imagine, but, of course, makes him a great drummer of the sort you would appreciate.
Indeed, Ayihi – despite playing a fantastic “drum” shot for chiefs and leaders is still struggling in the dangme land.
And, sadly, some chiefs and leaders said the youth are” disappointing” in the dangme land.
Ayihi and some dangme youthhave proved them all wrong.
All those who had sneered that the dangme youth would never be able to become successful are eating crow right now. We turned their jokes against them. Amen!
Now, that Ayihi and some dangme youth has shown what can be got out of them if they are given the chance, the leaders will be rolling back their criticism of the dangme youth: a new King in town always enjoys the attentions of the mob, even if they had booed him before he mounted the throne! It is all very delightful, and Ayihi is savoring it.
Isaac Ayihi– that is his full name – was born to dangme parents and he is a native of Shai.He worksas customer service personnel at the Ghana Highway authority at the Dodowa toll booth. He is based in Dodowa and a Presbyterian.
Very often, Dangmes search for greatness turns out to be an unfulfilled dream. People think first of their pockets, instead of their communities glory.
Nevertheless, the dangmegenes will shine through, and whether drum geniuses with dangmeblood are allowed by circumstances to play in our traditionalcolours or not, everyone will know their connection toDangme. Just come to Dodowa and look for Isaac Ayihi and Dodowa Forest Drummers and you will find them and your occasion will be splendid!
It's not his fault that he couldn't come out but it is the environment where he finds himself. It's the fault of our own lack of imagination, and probably, our corruption and selfishness among our leaders. Just imagine if he was to be a native of other tribe probably the Ashanti's! There are other young energetic guys over there like Jones Ayertey of the ShaiMicrofinance branch in Dodowa. Oh Jones! I leant you contested the NDC election and you lost it! You see your people will not allow the young ones to come out but still don't give up and established yourself very well and start some project and get some media hype and take authority in your subject and by the next four years I now you can get there. Politricks for you! Kudos Dangme Youth and Kudos Isaac Ayihi and Dodowa Forest Drummers you are a star in this country and don't worry it about time. Emre b3 ba!
Raphael Nyarkotey Obu: ND
The writer is a registered Naturopathic doctor &Prostate cancer specialist (TAP00396) MSc Prostate Cancer-Sheffield Hallam University, UK
CEO De Men's Clinic& Prostate Research Lab& Men's Health Foundation Ghana-Dodowa . President Dangme Youth Awake Network
Tel: 0541090045. E.mail:oburalph30@yahoo.co.uk