There are people whose lives remind us that culture is not something stored in books or museums. It lives and breathes through those who carry it with pride and purpose. Dagbon Malzali Naa, Professor Habib Chester Iddrisu, is one of those rare individuals.Born into the legendary Bizing (Bizung) family of court historians and musicians among the Dagbamba people of Northern Ghana, Professor Iddrisu grew up surrounded by rhythm, wisdom, and storytelling traditions that define Dagbon. From an early age, he was trained in traditional music, dance, and oral history, not as an observer but as a living participant in the cultural heartbeat of his people.His journey has been extraordinary. After years of performing and teaching in Ghana, especially in Accra where he worked with some of the country’s finest cultural groups and artists, his passion for sharing African performance traditions carried him across the Atlantic. In the United States, he pursued higher education with the same determination that once guided his drumming hands and dancing feet.

He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Africana Studies and African History from Bowling Green State University, and went on to complete a Ph.D. in Performance Studies at Northwestern University. Today, he is an Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology and Dance at the University of Oregon, where he has become a beacon of excellence, earning the university’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2020.

Even as he climbed the heights of academia, Professor Iddrisu never lost sight of where he came from. He continues to bring the spirit of Dagbon to lecture halls, performance stages, and communities around the world. His research and artistry center on what he calls the “total performance experience,” a seamless blend of dance, music, theatre, and storytelling that educates, provokes thought, and celebrates humanity.Before joining the University of Oregon, he taught at Lake Erie College, Cleveland State University, Reed College, Portland State University, and Pacific University. His influence reaches far beyond classrooms. As a scholar and author, he has published and co-edited important works that have shaped the global understanding of African performance traditions. His co-edited volume Africa Every Day: Fun, Leisure, and Expressive Culture on the Continent (Ohio University Press, 2019) won the African Studies Association’s award for Best Africa-Focused Edited Collection. He also contributed a chapter with Dr. Steve Cornelius to Hot Feet and Social Change: African Dance and Diaspora Communities (University of Illinois Press, 2019), a work produced under the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024).

Beyond the books and awards, there is a human story that defines him — one of humility, generosity, and an unshakable love for Dagbon. He is the founder, director, and choreographer of the Dema African Ensemble and serves as an External Examiner at the University of Ghana, Legon. He has designed performances for colleges and universities across the United States and once saw his choreography selected for performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

But long before these milestones, his name was already celebrated at home. In 1993, he received Ghana’s Best Dancer Award from the Entertainment, Art Critics and Reviewers Association. He even choreographed the welcoming ceremony for President Bill Clinton’s visit to Ghana in 1998, a moment that brought his artistry to the national stage.

Through all of this, his connection to his roots has never wavered. At Andani Royal Family TV, we have felt his kindness and support firsthand. Professor Iddrisu has been one of our strongest pillars, not only through his wise counsel and encouragement but also through tangible acts of generosity. He has gifted us with an original DJI microphone, two 4TB external hard drives, and continues to offer guidance whenever we need it most. His belief in our vision and in preserving and sharing the beauty of Dagbon culture means more than words can express.

Every great community is built by people who give more than they take, people who light the way for others quietly with dignity and heart. Professor Iddrisu is one of those lights. His life reminds us that education and tradition are not separate paths. They are two sides of the same truth: knowledge is most powerful when it is rooted in culture.From the entire Andani Royal Family TV team, we say a heartfelt thank you to you, Dagbon Mali Zali Naa. Your dedication, your generosity, and your unending love for Dagbon continue to inspire us every single day. You have shown that no matter how far one travels, the drumbeat of home never fades. It only grows louder, calling others to dance to the rhythm of identity and pride.🙏🏽💛Tipagyapam, Professor Habib Chester Iddrisu. Dagbon is proud of you. The world is learning from you.

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