Music, Performance and Hierarchy in Yeve Cult With Special Reference to the Ewe of Ghana

Abstract

Yeve cult is a traditional religious society whose practices existed among Ewe-speaking people of West Africa since the pre-colonial era. The cult is generally considered the most feared and secretive of all the traditional religious organizations in Ewe communities. The secrete nature of Yeve and its resistance to outside influences is to reinforce the maintenance of traditional rituals and the music of the cult from any form of adulteration. Over and above the belief, ritual practices and music of the cult is also a network of relationship and hierarchy. This research aims at investigating the extent to which participation and performance of four musical pieces namely, Husago, Adavu, Avlevu and Ak 4 help define hierarchy in Yeve with emphasis on the use of space and time to demonstrate the strong link between seniority and rank among Yevesiwo