Transforming Lives through Ethnomusicological Engagement in Kwando, Namibia
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Open in new tab The presentation will report on a collaborative project involving Bath Spa University (UK), the University of Namibia, and the Kwando community in Namibia. It will critically reflect on the impact and transformative potential of ethnomusicological research, evaluating the positive changes and social benefits as integral outcomes of musical and scholarly encounters. The project seeks to divert attention away from harmful behaviours such as substance abuse by engaging young people in musical activities. Providing opportunities for skill development in arts disciplines leads towards the strengthening of individual, community, and societal well-being. By working closely with the community head, and other community partners, along with researchers in Namibia, music acts as a catalyst for building sustainable partnerships that drive artistic solutions for societal change. Since the project began in October 2023, the rich cultural heritage of the Kwando community has been enhanced through sharing folk and contemporary songs, storytelling, children’s games, dance, and drama, from both Namibia and Zimbabwe. The youth have been equipped with transferable skills in instrument-making and performance, opening doors for them possibly to earn a living while preserving their traditions. Collaborating with researchers from different disciplines also enables participants to learn about conservation and ecology, regarding the use of locally sourced materials. The project will assess the initial level of success in contributing to short- and medium-term employment through the formation of performance ensembles, and the establishment of a community arts centre as a hub for innovative artistic endeavours. Researchers working with community members and other partners in Namibia will identify further ways of ‘co-producing’ impact that can reap wider benefits for other communities in the country.
Amanda Bayley and Perminus Matiure
Bath Spa University, England (In-person) and University of Namibia, Namibia
Amanda Bayley is professor of music at Bath Spa University where she leads an interdisciplinary research group on Intercultural Communication through Practice. Her publications include the award-winning book, Recorded Music: Performance, Culture, and Technology (2010). She is co-editor of a new book series with Routledge on Transcultural Musical Practices, and Reviews Editor for the Ethnomusicology Forum journal. Her research focuses on composer-performer collaborations, rehearsal analysis and creative processes. A recent direction in her research involves intersections between nature and music: she leads an ESRC/AHRC research network on ‘Ecotones: Soundscapes of Trees’, and a research project, ‘Hear Water: building environmental empathy through deep listening’.
Perminus Matiure is Doctor of Ethnomusicology, University of Namibia
