African gyil master and teacher Bernard Woma died April 27, 2018.

Woma was born in Northwestern Ghana, near the border with Burkina Faso. He began playing the gyil when he was two years old. At age five, Bernard was introduced to Ziem Tibo, a xylophone maker and player who became Bernard’s mentor and guide. Bernard soon became known for his musical abilities and was asked to play at funerals and weddings throughout the Upper West Region of Ghana.

In 1982, when Bernard had almost finished his schooling, he had no means to continue paying school fees and moved to the capital city of Accra to earn money. There, he found a job as a steward with a wealthy Ghanaian family. On Sunday evenings, he would go to Mamobi, a section of Accra where many Dagara people live and gather. There, he played the gyil for traditional Dagara dancing and became well-known in the community.

From these performances, he came to the attention of Professor Apoku and Frances Nii-Yartey, former and current directors of the Ghana Dance Ensemble, Ghana’s National Dance Company. In 1989, Bernard was offered the position of solo xylophonist.

In 1990, he was honored with the “Drummer of the Year” award, the only time such an award has been given to a percussionist. Through his work with the Ghana Dance Ensemble, he traveled widely and developed proficiency with other traditional Ghanaian instruments. In 1992, the company moved from the University of Ghana to the National Theatre. Bernard retained his title as solo xylophonist and was also appointed as the master drummer of the company.

In January 1999, he was invited to become a guest lecturer at the State University of New York at Fredonia. He gave workshops, lectures and private lessons with musicians throughout Europe and America. He also continued to be a principal member of the National Dance Company of Ghana. Bernard was the ceremonial Atumpan Drummer for Ghanaian State functions.

For many years, Bernard owned and operated a school of traditional African music and arts in a northern suburb of Accra, called the Dagara Music Center.

Read Bernard Woma’s PAS Hall of Fame profile here.