Browsing by Author "Ghartey, Kow Eduam"

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    The philosophical and symbolic meanings of art forms at shrines and churches in Ghana: a case study in the Central Region
    (2011) Ghartey, Kow Eduam
    The thesis investigates the various art forms at shrines and churches, the materials used to produce them, what part they play in the worship, the philosophies behind them, their symbolic meanings, similarities and differences in them. Many visual art forms exist in shrines and churches. An empirical observation by the researcher indicates that, whereas the art forms at shrines are considered unholy by many Ghanaians, about 70% of whom are said to worship in the churches, the ones at the churches are considered sacred. The study focuses on selected art forms at shrines and churches and categorises them according to the symbolic, philosophical meanings behind them. The problem the thesis seeks to solve is to identify similarities and differences in symbolic and philosophical meanings of the art forms employed at both places of worship. The main objectives of the research were: to find out the philosophical and symbolic meanings of the art forms, the roles these art forms play in the worship, and the similarities and differences in these art forms at shrines and churches. The descriptive, survey method with interviewing and questionnaire administration were employed to gather the data for the research. The sample population of the research constituted 20 leaders of all the identified shrines and churches, 50 members from all the five identified shrines and five churches the researcher visited. The researcher employed the technique of purposive sampling and simple random sampling. The similarities in function of the art forms at the shrines and churches in the Central Region are similar with slight differences. It therefore implies that the art forms at the shrines and art forms at churches serve almost the same purposes. The research discovered that a challenge is posed to the few school-educated elite of the Traditional worshipers in particular to embark upon serious research and proper documentation of the art forms at the shrines. The research also recommends that the leaders of Traditional worship should be given formal school education to help them keep record on the symbolic and philosophical meanings of the art forms they use. Finally, the research recommends that the Christians community should try to adopt the same meanings of the art forms to avoid or, at least, reduce disparities.