NVG brings to you another intriguing dance from the repertoire of dances in Northern Ghana. The Baamaya dance originates from the days of severe drought and hunger. Though some question its credibility, it is believed that the oracle had told the people that the rains will only come if the men stopped their demeaning attitudes towards the women and an evident way to do that was to lower themselves to the roles of the women and wear skirts (the cross dressing observed by the male dancers wearing skirts). A strong indication of the gender equality significance from a historical standpoint as food for thought. Some believe the fans held by the dancers was an addition to wave away mosquitoes.
The music is a mixture of drum beats and bamboo flute sounds. Similar to the Jera dance, the Baamaya dancers move their hips, this time in a quick wiggling motion with the speed controlled by the beat of the music.
Originally performed by men for the royalty while the women sing and shout praises to encourage the dancers (cheerlead), women now also participate in the dance. It is not an age specific dance and it performed in groups in a circle at festivals, naming ceremonies, social events and of course during times of harvest.
Baamaya means the river valley is wet.
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