H I S T O R Y
Dr. Ephraim Amu The Distinguished Ghanaian Musicologist and Teacher
D
r Amu was born on 13 September 1899 at Peki-Avetile (also called Abenase) in the Peki traditional area of the Volta Region. As a male child born on a Wednesday, he was called “Kwaku.” Amu first attended school in May 1906. At about age 12, he entered the Peki-Blengo E.P. Boarding Middle School, where he showed much interest and love for music and agriculture. According to him, he enjoyed the music played during church collections when the music teacher, Mr. Karl Theodore Ntem, played soul-moving renditions on the organ. Amu and his music teacher struck a mutual agreement (bartering, if you will) whereby Amu would be taught the skills of organ playing, and, in return, Mr. Ntem would employ Amu to work on his farm on Saturdays. Amu composed a number of musical pieces, among them: "Fare thee well” "Nkwagye Dwom” "Dwonto” "Yetu Osa” "Israel Hene” "Onipa da wo ho so” "Yaanom Abibirimma” "Yen Ara Asase Ni” "Adawura abo me” "Samansuo” "Ale-gbegbe”
Amu is particularly known for his use of the atenteben, a traditional Ghanaian bamboo flute; he promoted and popularized the instrument throughout the country, and composed music for it.
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Of Amu's compositions, "Yen Ara Asase Ni" has become a nationally acclaimed patriotic song that is performed at national functions. In 1931, after Amu preached (wearing his African attire on a Sunday), he was summoned to appear before the church court. The Rev. Peter Hall told Amu, "We were taken aback to see you conduct Sunday service in a native cloth. We hope you will not do this again." Therefore, in his polite manner, Amu took leave of the church session, but decided in his heart to continue to work in the church as a catechist and music teacher – rather than become a minister of the Gospel wearing unsuitable European dress. In June 1942, Amu married Beatrice Yao and presented her with a wooden box made of the finest wood instead of the
traditional imported steel trunk. Dr Amu married at the ripe age of 43 on 3 September 1942. On Saturday, 27 March 1965, the University of Ghana conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Music on Ephraim Amu at the University of Ghana, Legon. Some Works by Ephraim Amu: Twenty-five African Songs in the Twi Language. Music and words by E. Amu. Sheldon Press, 1932. Amu, Ephraim. Amu choral works. Waterville Publishing House, 1993. Amu, Ephraim. How to Study African Rhythm. The Teachers' Journal (Accra) 6.2 (1933): 1933-34.