Beyond ‘musicking’: the linguistic significance of the Atumpan of the Akan of Ghana

Abstract

The Atumpan, a talking drum central to Akan culture in Ghana, has historically functioned as a musical instrument and a speech surrogate for communicating messages, honouring dignitaries, and preserving oral traditions. In this article, I explore the evolution of the Atumpan’s communicative role in contemporary Akan society, particularly as it intersects with digital communication and globalisation. Using an autoethnographic approach and drawing on musico-linguistic theory, I analyse how the Atumpan’s significance has shifted from a functional speech tool to one more centred on symbolic, ceremonial, and performative meanings. This shift reflects a broader trend in which traditional instruments retain cultural authority but are reshaped by modern technological practices. The article offers insights into the enduring power of the Atumpan in a changing world, and explore ways in which they continue to shape cultural identity, while acknowledging the limitations posed by its diminished role in direct communication in the digital age.

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