Ethnodoxological Reflection on the Choral Arrangement ‘Zamina Mina Yeako Aba’: The Arranger’s Perspective
George Mensah Essilfie 
Issue: Vol.4 No.2 March 2024 Issue Article 1 pp. 15-28
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ejomur.2024421 | Published online 1st March, 2024.
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This article examined the choral arrangement Zamina Mina Yeako Aba from an ethnodoxological perspective, drawing on an original music video, Zamina Mina Waka Waka, by the Zangalewa Band from Cameroon. Positioned as a composer, The researcher contextualized the choral arrangement against the historical and migration-related background of the Makossa ensemble. The study offered valuable insights into the choral arrangement of Zamina Mina Yeako Aba by exploring its linguistic and cultural origins. This article employed ethnomusicological and ethnodoxological approaches to scrutinize the choral arrangement, specifically focusing on the latter and exploring its cultural and spiritual aspects. This study examined the choral arrangement within its cultural setting, considering elements such as performance practices, compositional devices, cultural perspectives, and conversations with native Cameroonians and Ghanaians. Ethnodoxology, an interdisciplinary field, examines how various cultures articulate their worship through artistic mediums, particularly music in this instance. The article argued for fuller inclusion of Zamina Mina Yeako Aba and similar choral arrangements in global Christian worship and highlighted their inherent biblical themes. The significance of these arrangements extends beyond their musical qualities and highlights their role in preserving cultural heritage, promoting unity, and contributing to the broader landscape of global Christian music. This study showed how the seamless fusion of Western and African musical elements creates a synergistic effect. Through ethnodoxological insights into the choral arrangement, it reveals the deep connection between spirituality, tradition, and music in cross-cultural music-making.
Keywords: Ethnodoxology, Ethnomusicology, Zamina Mina, Makossa Ensemble, Cross-cultural Music Making, Cultural Heritage.
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Zamina Mina Yeako Abao – Military Cadence Arrangement by George Mensah Essilfie Performed by The Harmonious Chorale. Video, 2020. https://youtu.be/Ols30CB2WHg?si=8R7QlgXBtR8Buv-E.
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Additional Resources
Videos
Original Zangalewa Waka Waka. 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdrEisrvY7g.
Fishermen singing and pulling nets. 2018. Cape Coast, Ghana: By courtesy of Natty Dadzie. https://youtu.be/OeEuvmAJ0Ugsi=VqoNbHAvRddsoL7z.
Zamina Mina Yeako Aba – Military Cadence Arrangement by George Mensah Essilfie Performed by The Harmonious Chorale. 2020. https://youtu.be/Ols30CB2WHg?si=8R7QlgXBtR8Buv-E.
Audio
Fishermen singing and pulling nets. 2018. Cape Coast, Ghana: By courtesy of Natty Dadzie. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jVn5tnqdiDlZqSIbGiUDEuRlxadVprSc/view?usp=sharing.
Zamina Mina Yeako Aba – Military Cadence Arrangement by George Mensah Essilfie Performed by The Harmonious Chorale. 2020. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mnphQweE2BJnSGRvVg-5Zs1mb8HgdHSY/view?usp=sharing.
Dr. George Mensah Essilfie follows an intercultural approach in his musical compositions, seamlessly combining influences from his stays in Africa, the Caribbean, Great Britain, and the USA. Drawing inspiration from these diverse experiences, GME explores the fusion of elements that define art music and traditional Ghanaian music. His compositions are evidence of the harmonious interplay of global and local musical traditions. GME’s innovative work reflects a commitment to creating a unique musical language that transcends geographical boundaries. With this cross-cultural musical journey, GME enriches the global soundscape, offering compositions that resonate universally while celebrating the living heritage of Ghanaian music. Dr. George Mensah Essilfie has degrees in Music Education from Ghana, an MA in Church Music from Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University, OH, an MMus in Composition, and a Graduate Certificate in Eurhythmics from the University of Kentucky, and a Doctorate in Worship Studies – Ethnomusicology from Liberty University, VA. Expertise includes cross-cultural music-making innovations and worship contextualization.
Essilfie, George Mensah. “Ethnodoxological Reflection on the Choral Arrangement ‘Zamina Mina Yeako Aba’: The Arranger’s Perspective,” E-Journal of Music Research 4, no.1 (2024): 15-28. https://doi.org/10.38159/ejomur.2024421
© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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