8/7/2019 Tokoe Song Book

1/5

TokoeGaDangme Puberty Dance-Drumming

Entering puberty is a critical period of the ongoing communal assimilation of a child intothe cultural tradition of society. Among other qualities of growth, the young child has

developed the capability of reproducing sexually and must know the socialresponsibilities of that biological maturity.

Puberty rites known, as "dipo" is the communal forum in which the GaDangme femaleacquires the knowledge of the social responsibilities of this critical biological transition.

Very respected female members of the community are the officiating elders. Their

wisdom, life experience, self-esteem and self-confidence provide good role models forthe young adults.

Tokoe is the dance-drumming performed at the beginning of the ceremonies to introduce

the very carefully selected candidates of "dipo" to the community. Entering "dipo" is an

honor and privilege and all entering must meet very strict qualification measures. Among

these qualification measures is the requirement that the young adult remains a virgin bythe time of entering.

The GaDangme people reside in southern Ghana along the banks of the Volta River.

8/7/2019 Tokoe Song Book

2/5

&

44

44

Bells

Song

. .J GO GO GO GO GO GO GO

A wo a wo

. .J GO GO GO GO GO GO GO

. . Nii me ba Na a me

&

Bls.

Son.

3

. .J GO GO GO GO GO GO GO

bae A wo

. .J GO GO GO GO GO GO GO

. . Nii me ba Naa me

&

Bls.

Son.

5 . .J GO GO GO GO GO GO GO

. ba he A

. .J GO GO GO GO GO GO GO

. . ta Nii me ba Na a me

&

Bls.

Son.

7 . .J GO GO GO GO GO GO GO

bae A wo na woa

. .J GO GO GO GO GO GO GO

wo A wo

TokoeTranscribed By

CK Ladzekpo

Copyright 2005 CK Ladzek

Awo Awo Nii Me Ba

Lead

Group

8/7/2019 Tokoe Song Book

3/5

44

44

4

4

44

44

Gankogui 1

Axatse

Kagan

Kidi

Sogo

.

.J

GO GO GO GO GO GO GO

PA TI PA PA,PA TI PA PA TIPA PA TI

KAGA KAGA KAGA KAGA

KI DIKI DI

DEGEDEGEDEGEKUTUDE DE DEGEKUTU

.

.J

GO GO GO GO GO GO GO

PA TI PA PA,PA TI PA PA TIPA PA TI

KAGA KAGA KAGA KAGA

KI DIKI DI

DEGEDEGEDEGEKUTUDE DE DEGEKUTU

TokoeGaDangme Puberty Dance-Drumming

Southern Ghana, West Africa

Transcribed By

CK Ladzekpo

Copyrights 2004 CK Ladzekpo

Tokoe Support DrumsBasic Parts

8/7/2019 Tokoe Song Book

4/5

44

44

4

4

Bell 1

Bell 2

Bell 3

GO GO GO GO

J

TIN GO GO TIN

.

TIN TIN

.

.J

GO GO GO GO GO GO GO

J J

TIN GO GO KA TIN GO GO TIN

.TIN GO GO GO KA KA TIN TIN

TokoeTranscribed By

CK Ladzekpo

Copyrights 2004 CK Ladzekpo

Tokoe Bell Ensemble

8/7/2019 Tokoe Song Book

5/5

44

44

Gankogui 1

Atsimevu

.

.J

GO GO GO GOGOGO GO

GA GI DE

.

.J

GO GO GO GO GO GO GO

KI TEN TE GA TO TE KI

Gan.

Atsi.

3 .

.

J

GO GO GO GO GO GO GO

3

. .

J

DZA DZI DZI DZA DZI

.

.

J

GO GO GO GO GO GO GO

. .

J

DZA DZI DZI DZA DZI

TokoeGaDangme Puberty Dance-Drumming

Southern Ghana, West Africa

Transcribed By

CK Ladzekpo

Copyright 2004 CK Ladzekpo

Atsimevu [Starting Episode]