The aesthetics of the Dangme dirge

The Dangme people express their cultural beliefs and thoughts through various literary genres. This study examines the aesthetics of the Dangme language in dirges by analysing both performance and textual elements, focusing on the structural and stylistic features that highlight the beauty of the language. It also documents the structures, components, and significance of the dirges to preserve the cultural knowledge for future generations of the Dangme. The study’s data was collected using the ethnographic method, which involves studying texts within the context of a particular social group in natural settings over time. The researcher collected data at funeral grounds in Yilɔ Klo and Manya Klo in the Eastern Region of Ghana, as well as in Adaa and Nugo in the Greater Accra Region. The researcher used Braun and Clarke’s (2006) inductive approach to thematic analysis as the data analysis procedure. The findings reveal that repetition serves as a key structural technique in Dangme dirges, intensifying the mourners’ emotions and reinforcing their messages. The dirges also heavily rely on metaphor and symbolism as dominant literary devices. They also feature other stylistic elements such as ideophone, apostrophe, and personification. Beyond their poetic richness, Dangme dirges serve multiple functions: they cast insinuations, reflect on the deceased’s life, express grief, and highlight the deceased’s unpreparedness for the transition to the ancestral world. By documenting and transmitting this knowledge, the study aims to contribute to the revitalisation and preservation of the Dangme language.