Folklore in Ghana

In Ghana, folklore is defined as a collection of a community’s traditional beliefs and customs that may be preserved by an ethnic group or an unknown Ghanaian author. Ghana’s rich folklore tradition includes Adinkra symbols, Kente cloth, traditional festivals, music, and storytelling. Ananse, the spider god and trickster who inspired the Ghanaian storytelling tradition Anansesem, is one of Ghana’s most well-known folk characters. Folklore is based on the oral tradition passed down from generation to generation, and it includes intellectual and spiritual traditions. It consists of customs, dramatic arts, festivals, musical stories, and proverbs passed down through generations.

Traditional Symbols

Importance of Folklore

Folklore contributes to a people’s identity. The Kpanlogo dance, for example, distinguishes the Gas from the Akans. Ghana is known around the world as the birthplace of the popular Kente Cloth. It also serves as a revenue generator. Local artists make money by incorporating folklore into their work. It accounted for 1.98 percent of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product.

Folklore Institution/s

The National Folklore Board is a statutory body whose primary mission is to protect and promote Ghanaian folklore. As a state agency, the National Folklore Board reports to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture. The National Folklore Board is a statutory body created and mandated by the Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690) (the ‘Act’) to administer, register, promote, and protect Ghanaian folklore expressions on behalf of the President and the people of Ghana. MTN has partnered with the National Folklore Board to digitize Ghanaian folklore. The National Folklore Board functions as a state agency to perform the role of intellectual property and folklore branding in Ghana, to educate Ghanaians on folklore, preserve Ghana’s rich heritage in order to influence nation-building, to boost domestic and international tourism in order to generate revenue, and create jobs, and to hold monthly outdoor activities Did You Know throughout the year. Folklore clubs, cultural tourism, a national traditional games competition, and the Know Your Folklore campaign are among the activities.

The manifestations of Ghanaian culture include folklore. The National Commission on Culture (NCC) in Ghana maintains a unique cultural identity and values for the promotion of an integrated national culture, as well as contributing to the overall economic development of Ghana.

Sources: jbklutse.com, theconversation.com, wikipedia.org, ghanaculture.gov.gh

Cultural Heritage of Ghana

National Register – Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ghana