EBIBINDWOM


Ghana Methodists have always been seen as highly educated and lovers of scholarship. Why not after all our Father John Wesley was an Oxford Scholar at a time that it was truly rare. He did not dwell on his achievements though  [Philippians 3:3-10] and neither should we.
Ghana Methodists have always been   sensitive to the feelings and needs of those not so blessed with scholarship or education for various reasons.
Our Church has also not totally abandoned our acceptable cultural practices, acceptable as not being contrary to the word of God.

EBIBINDWOM is evidence of this. It is called ‘lyric’ among some circles and is of the solo-cum-variety, its main features being a free rhythm, considerable latitude for improvisation by the soloist, somber dignity in the counterpoint harmony of the chorus and an ending in a minor key. Its roots lay in the funeral dirge of the people. In the hands of Rev. Gaddiel R. Acquaah this art form showed promise of becoming the foundation of African Church music in Methodism; Osabarimba, the lyric sung at the service of inauguration of the Conference on Friday 28 July 1961 is an excellent example.
Sunsum soer yi Ewuradze ayew, Yehyia Wo dzin mu a yere tweon w’, Wasor O, Woenyan O….
The Christ Little Band an adult organization of The Methodist Church Ghana is devoted to Ebibindwom. Our Sisters Esther Adebisi and Margaret Amoah are leading singers of Ebibindwom in North America.They are members of The Rev. Gaddiel Acquaah Memorial Methodist Church, Va and Calvary Methodist United Church, Toronto respectively.

[Acknowledgement: F.L. Bartels - Roots of Ghana Methodism]