Music education in Malawi

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Periodical article

Title:	Music education in Malawi
Author:	Chanunkha, Robert
Year:	2002
Periodical:	Journal of Humanities (ISSN 1016-0728)
Issue:	16
Pages:	68-86
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Malawi Central Africa
Subjects:	music education music education Teachers--Training of curriculum
External link:	https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jh/article/view/6298
Abstract:	Since 1929, when government education began, there has been a chronic marginalization of music education in the national curriculum in Malawi. This paper examines possible causes of this marginalization. In the era of the early missionaries and colonialism there was little, if any, promotion of traditional music, its paradigms, pedagogies, experiences and materials, in education in the country. This made the educated/converted Africans learn, sing, perform and compose in a Western manner. This state of affairs continues in Malawian schools today. Using views of musically informed Malawians on the subject, the author stresses the importance of traditional music and traditional music education: music is a vehicle for self expression; it transmits and preserves culture; it provides enjoyment; it can be a source of income; it encourages creativity and imagination; it promotes social development. If music is to secure a firm place in the curriculum for the socioeconomic benefit of both the African child and adult, then the traditional academic disdain for music has to end. Bibliogr., notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]