The performing arts are the arts that are played or performed and that exist only in a stream of time. This art form is evident in every activity that the indigenous Ghanaian performs, from washing their face from bed, through their daily activities, to the moment they lie down in bed. Examples of forms of performing arts practiced and used by indigenous Ghanaians in their activities of daily life include music, dance, and drama.

On the other hand, verbal arts are those that are performed with the mouth with or without body gestures. They usually speak with their mouths. The indigenous Ghanaian verbal arts include folklores, tales, denominations, dirges, poetry, etc.

Music

Music pervades and accompanies all the activities carried out by the indigenous Ghanaians, such as hunting, fishing, agriculture, trade, etc. The music is played during festivals, rituals, marriage ceremonies, funeral ceremonies, puberty rites, naming and outdoor ceremonies, funeral rites, etc. They played various roles such as entertainment, deity worship, ancestor veneration and invitation, etc. Various musical instruments were used to compose and play the music. They included string instruments (hites, lyres), wind instruments (flutes, horns), instruments with their own sound (drums, rattles), etc. The music was specially performed in the royal palaces, squares, courtyards, parks and streets. The music lyrics embody the religious and cultural beliefs of indigenous Ghanaians, as well as their ideologies, norms and values. They were purely educational and were used as a channel for moral instruction.

Dancing

Dance, like music, plays a vibrant role in the lives of indigenous Ghanaians. They ranged from graceful movements to very vigorous movements depending on the style of dance and the occasion and context in which the dance is performed. A dance was performed at naming ceremonies, funeral rites, festivals, religious activities, storytelling sessions, etc. Some of the dance moves were symbolic and carried important messages. For example, the dance performed at durbars, festivals, ritual performances, and ancestor ceremonies by and attendance by a traditional priest were interpreted as messages from the ancestors to the people, especially the king. Others were purely for entertainment to relieve stress and have fun.

Drama

The indigenous drama of Ghana was evident in practically all places, such as the market and public squares, farms, chop bars, meeting places, etc. It was performed in storytelling, initiation rites and ceremonies of the ancestors to instruct the people about the laws, regulations, taboos and beliefs of the people. They typically illustrated themes related to the repercussions of not paying attention to the laws and traditions passed down from ancestors. Moral lessons on how to live a good life were enshrined in theatrical performances.

folklore

They are the unwritten or oral histories that portray the culture of a group or community. Ghanaian indigenous folklore recounts the activities and events of our ancestors and the origin of our laws, values ​​and social norms. They are means through which the youth of society become familiar with their own cultural heritage. These stories are believed to be true and are taken seriously.

Stories

They are stories told to entertain and educate people. They are usually fictitious with unreal characters. They are sometimes full of exaggeration and lies, although they are used to highlight the problems of breaking the rules, customs and taboos established by the ancestors of the indigenous communities of Ghana.

denominations

These are praises shouted to a god, ancestor, king, or important personality recounting their accomplishments, character, and ego. Kings and VIPs are shouted at during important occasions like durbars, festivals, and ceremonies before they take their seats at a function. During the ceremonies in which the ancestors must be invited, their names are sounded. The indigenous Ghanaians believed that doing this would attract the favor, goodwill, blessing and help of the ancestors.

Proverbs

They are short wise sayings that illustrate the courage of the ancestors. They explain the laws, rules and ideas of the indigenous Ghanaians. They were narrated at parties, ceremonies and in storytelling moments as a form of moral, cultural and social education of the people.

Addresses

They are compound words for the deceased. They are narrated to comfort and console the bereaved family and well-wishers during the funeral ceremonies of their loved ones in the indigenous communities of Ghana. They educate us about the brevity of our lives and the evil attributed to death, and the hope that we have to live again. On most occasions, musical instruments accompany these funeral songs.