Department of Music

Fafali: Music and Dance from Ghana

Fafali Ensemble performs with members of the Dagbe Cultural Center

Video: Fafali performs with members of Ghana's Dagbe Cultural Center

Fafali is the Ghanaian drum and dance ensemble of the Brandeis Music Department. The group studies and performs the music, song and dance of Ghana, and has performed at Brandeis for BASO’s Night for Africa, MusicUnitesUs’ Taste of Ghana festival, Culture X and even for the President of Ghana! Historically a highly international ensemble, Fafali has included members from Ghana, Togo, Jamaica, Central African Republic, Tanzania, Cape Verde, Haiti, Domincan Republic, China, the United States and other countries from around the world. Many Fafali members are also highly active in Brandeis arts and culture organizations including the Brandeis African Students Organization, Rebelle Afro-Caribbean Dance Troupe, Toxic Majorette Dance Line, Sankofa Dance Troupe and more.

The ensemble runs as a course in the music department, and is listed as Music 87a in the fall semester, and Music 87b in the spring. Two semesters of MUS 87a/b fulfills the Creative Arts elective requirements, and additionally, MUS 87a/b also counts towards the CAST minor (Creativity, the Arts, and Social Transformation). Instruments and costumes supplied by the University. All Brandeis students are welcome to join!