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The Atenteben is a bamboo flute from Ghana . It is played vertically, like the European recorder, and like this one can be played diatonic as well as chromatic . Originally an instrument of traditional Ghanaian music mostly used in funeral processions, it has also been used in modern and classical music since the beginning of the 20th century. Some players have achieved high mastery here and are able to play both Western and African music on this instrument.

The instrument has its origins in the Akan peoples of southern and central Ghana, especially in the region of the Kwahu Plateau . Outside the region, it was popularized by the musicologist Ephraim Amu (1899-1995). It was also used in the Nana Danso Abiam Pan-African Orchestra . Dela Botri , a former member of the orchestra, is one of the most exposed players of this instrument today. Since 2004 Botri has combined the life of breath with hi-life music .

The instrument is played in many schools and universities in Ghana, both as a solo and as an ensemble instrument. Game instructions for the Atenteben were written by Kwasi Aduonum , a Ghanaian educator and composer from her area of ​​origin, the aforementioned Kwahu Plateau.

The Nigerian composer Akin Euba used a children's level ensemble in his opera Chaka: an opera in two chants .

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