The role of technology in transforming African musical traditions

African Culture

Music is integral to both public and private lives. From ritual dances to evocative vocal harmonies, the traditional music of Africa continues to uplift listeners. In the public sphere, music has become a huge multinational business and yet at its street level music remains an essentially social event. Informal gatherings of young people singing, rapping, or playing instruments reflects the roots of African music. More formal bands, whether professional or amateur, are direct extensions of the way musicians practiced and performed a thousand years ago. Music is central to all aspects of American public life: from commercial jingles on television to church choirs. The integration of music into all features of public life also stems from the ancient traditions of Africa. As a commodity, though, music has raised serious questions about intellectual property and its ownership: issues that were not present in traditional African communities.

In our personal lives, music is crucial. The music industry depends on millions of consumers who value music as being essential to life: not as a luxury but as a necessity. Many people cannot dream of a day spent without hearing tunes. The iPod is a ubiquitous tool that helps listeners stay connected to the sonic world. When online, I can stream music from any number of sources or download new music I want to hear. Music has become more personal than it was in traditional African societies. In traditional African societies, music was more a communal activity or a function of religion than it was a personal escape. Now music has become a way to meditate or find peace while in a chaotic urban environment. With headphones on, I can isolate myself from the world and discover a sense of peace that the soundscapes provide. The use of music for personal reasons is new social development that depends on technology.