Dagomba Song-Making Workshop—Ghana

A large crowd of observers from the village quickly gathered, women swaying to the music and children scrambling up trees for a better view. What is this new thing? A Bamaaya song that speaks of the kingdom of God and our need to repent and believe? The whole community is hearing God’s word clearly, not only in their own language but in music which reaches into their hearts like no other can. The message of God’s kingdom is being made known.

(The musical genre of Bamaaya is a very popular Dagomba dance used at various social occasions.)

One man said, “I really admire the music. It’s integrating Scripture into our Dagomba culture. It will bring many people to hear the Word of God. The songs will cut across their unwillingness to listen to the Gospel. If all churches would adopt this method, we would certainly get more people for Christ.”

The workshop coincided with a local feast-day in the village, so at least 200 townspeople roamed between the composing groups, waiting for the next song. The townspeople heard more Bible verses in this one day than in a month of Sunday services… It touched our hearts to see the impact of the songs on the believers, now freed to worship God with their unique cultural heritage. And it amazed us to see the attractiveness of these songs to those outside the Christian community. These songs will help the Christians fulfill their calling, not only to be worshippers but to be witnesses to their own people as well.