What is a Gong Gong?

In Ghana, the gong gong was the lucky guy who went from village to village, spreading the latest news, events, and updates. In a Western context you could consider him a town crier.

He carried with him a gong, though not the kind you’re envisioning. A West African gong looks more like a double cow bell made of brass that he hit with a matching stick. He’d hit the top bell, then the bottom, creating a two tone beat heard throughout the village…

Gong gong! Gong gong! Nana Kwame announces a meeting of the elders after the next market! Gong gong! Gong gong! Tawiah Mensah from Gigano has chosen to marry Paa Ofori’s youngest daughter, Efua. Gong gong! Gong gong!

Although the time of the gong gong is long past, replaced in West Africa by mobile phones, the internet, and newspapers, the legend still lives dear in the hearts of its people. Come festival time, when the tribal chiefs dawn their golden regalia and parade through town, glimpses of the gong gong can still be seen walking in the chief’s procession, hitting his instrument and calling out the news.

Our Logo

Our logo contains a variation of the Adinkra smybol Mate Masie, which literally translated, means "What I hear, I keep." Mate Masie is the symbol representing wisdom, knowledge, and prudence. Adinkra symbols are cultural symbols from Ghana which have a broad variety of meanings and are still used for traditional purposes today.

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