VIDEO REVIEW: BUK BAK – AKWASI BRONI
The musical catalogue of Buk Bak is huge and impressive. The award winning duo comprised of Prince Bright (Bright Sparkles) and Ronnie Coaches (who unfortunately is late). The group, which initially began with three members-Bright, Ronnie and Shoetan- was by the time they released their second album in 2000, without Shoetan (Papa Shoto).
Awensem (Proverbs) was released under then Abib Records and spurned many hits including Chingilingi, Bonwire Kente, Krokrohinko, Komi Ke Kena among others. In all, Awensem had 10 songs-5 on each side of the cassette.
If Komi Ke Kena (which was their breakthrough album) put Buk Bak on the musical notice board, it was Akwasi Broni, in my estimation which exposed their knowledge and appreciation of Ghanaian history and tradition.
Akwasi Broni touched on anti-colonialism, history, blackness and self-belief. It also spoke against cultural appropriation; the actions of the colonialists and their attempt at weaning us off our cultural ethos. Akwasi Broni was telling or encouraging us (Ghanaians or Africans) to hold on to what defined us- our traditions.
CONCEPT
The video was shot by King Luu and JoeJo Quagrine with a village background. The village setting is appropriate as it is considered the hub of culture and tradition. The video also borrowed from the famous Ashanti mythology of how the Golden Stool descended from heaven courtesy Okomfo Anokye.
In the video, Bright and Ronnie led a group of warriors (defenders of tradition) to chase out a white colonialists whose disparaging acts were deemed an affront to the people of the village. The order for the warriors to hunt, capture or kill this white colonialist came from the village king, considered as the custodian of tradition. However, the order to kill was overruled by the queen mother, who, requested them to bring him alive.
The video had some interesting scenes including one where the colonialist was offered an excellent welcome- a home, food and servants whilst living amongst the people. A depiction of that famous Ghanaian hospitality.
Another scene tackled the issue of cultural appropriation. The colonialist, who was draped in rich kente cloth and sandals (ahwenema) was caught and all these important items stripped off him. The import of that scene is to safeguard the traditions that define us as people since a loss of cultural identity is inimical to our survival and who we are.
Watch video below
https://youtu.be/LAIHgyKiH8g
