User:Safowa Nyom

Nathaniel Zewu also known as Safowa Nyom, is an indigenous musician in Ghana who uses “Seperewa', a traditional instrument, he learnt to play by himself, to perform proverbial songs that weaves in stories of love, life struggles and address social issues as well.

Safowa Nyom was born July 19th, 1988 to Mr. and Mrs. Zewu, who hails from Asuboi in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He grew up in Akim Oda, attended St. Andrew Memorial Institute and Anum Senior High all in the Eastern Region.The musician, who derived his stage name SAFOWA, from ‘’Solid African Feel of West Africa’’ also plays the guitar and sings as well.

Briefly the Seperewa instrument, historically known as Sanku, is attested to at least the 17th century, as the then newly established Asanteman empire incorporated elements of its heavily Mande-influenced northern predecessor state Bonoman into its musical repertoire. Various harp-lutes similar to the sanku which were once exclusively played in northern Ghana (which culturally was much more heavily influenced by the Mali Empire and today is still inhabited by several Manden groups; the Ligbi, Bissa, Dyula and Wangara) eventually gave way to kologo and molo calabash-lute types instead. The harp-lute tradition since then was preserved predominantly among Akan groups in what became southern Ghana, with the only exception being the koriduo 6 string harp of the Dagari and Sisaala groups of northwestern Ghana.

King Osei Tutu, the mythical founder of the Asante empire, was said to have loved the instrument so much that his successor Opoku Ware caused a replica of it to be made in his memory. The instrument was wrapped in gold leaf, and placed among the paraphernalia of the Golden Stool, which Osei Tutu established as "the soul" of the Asante nation with the help of his counsellor, the great priest Okomfo Anokye.

The Seperewa was used to entertain kings, similar to a griot tradition followed by northern Ghanaian tribes, and was also played at palm wine bars, and at funerals. The instrument was said to speak kasa and was used either used by itself or along with song.

British colonization in the later 19th century saw the instrument decline in use as the guitar was introduced, and new chords and musical patterns from Europe entered Akan areas.

By the early 20th century, as the Akan kingdoms became incorporated into the Gold Coast colony, and Christianity was introduced by British missionaries, the Seprewa found its way into churches, Christian weddings and conferences. ]]

He said ‘’I started playing guitar when I found love in instruments from my Sunday school days. I later evolved and chose a path where many mates would never dare to thread, which is making indigenous music with an indigenous instrument and I'm happy because I am very passionate about what I do as a musician’’.

He also added, Mr. Osei Kwame Korankye, who is the foremost player of the seperewa made his first seperewa for him but never had time to teach him so he practiced how to play it himself and have mastered it.

He has recorded songs titled poverty chain, African woman, united black land and ‘efi’ meaning dirt, which was to create awareness on saving our Eco System and how to keep the environment clean.

The musician who now plays at Elimina for foreign tourists, performed at the 2017 World Music Day at Alliance Francaise headlined ‘’fete de la musique’’ in Accra, Ghana. The first ever relationship mixer in Ghana by Kwadwo Panyin, a relationship blogger based in the United States of America and currently the World Wildlife Day celebration in Ghana Wildlife Authority, Accra.

Safowa, said he was working hard to produce traditional songs that would put Ghana on the international map and put him on international stages with the likes of King Ayisoba and Wiyaala to promote the Ghanaian traditional instruments and songs.