Texts and contexts: the case of jàmá songs among the youth in Ghana

Abstract The upbeat, rock-like jàmá song genre has been ubiquitous in the popular culture of Ghana, especially over the last four decades. While the origin of the name ‘jàmá’ (also dzama, gyama or djama) remains a mystery, the music evokes characteristics of neo-traditional Ga music. The genre has become an official medium of musical expression for Ghanaian youths at present. Popular music artists like DJ Mic Smith and Gasmilla, the Ghanaian army and police, religious organisations such as Christian churches, and students in schools and colleges perform jàmá songs during social events, festivals, sports games, political rallies, marriage ceremonies, funerals and protest marches. The same jàmá song may be heard on different occasions, generating a myriad of meanings. This paper analyses selected jàmá songs, situates the song texts within their respective contexts, and illustrates the creative devices performers use to convey the meanings of songs in various settings.