Yen Ara Asase Ni
EAM-004"Yen Ara Asase Ni" (This Is Our Own Land) is arguably the most famous Ghanaian choral composition ever written. Composed in 1926 during the colonial era, it became an unofficial anthem of the Gold Coast independence movement.
The piece is taught in virtually every school in Ghana and is performed at national events, church services, and choir competitions.
Amu composed this piece as a direct response to colonial dismissal of Ghanaian culture — a musical declaration that Ghanaians should take pride in their own land.
Composed in 1926 during British colonial rule. The 1920s saw the rise of African cultural nationalism. Amu himself would be dismissed from his teaching post in 1933 for wearing traditional cloth.
The Twi text should be sung with natural speech rhythms. Pronunciation: 'Yen' rhymes with 'pen', 'asase' = ah-SAH-seh, 'ni' = nee.
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