Music as a Global Resource: - International Council for Caring ...

SECTION:
Music for Sustainable Community Development
COUNTRY:
Botswana
PROJECT:
EMPOWERING AT-RISK YOUTH USING WOSANA TRADITIONAL MUSIC
DESCRIPTION:
Wosana traditional music is mostly performed in the North Eastern District of Botswana by the
Bakalanga people who are separated by geographic and political borders. This traditional music
genre is used for cultural preservation as a unifying agent for both young and old people. Above
all, this music is performed as a prayer for rain, a rare and much needed commodity in Botswana.
The goal of this project is to empower the youths who have dropped out of school by promoting
the cultural heritage of wosana traditional music. It is believed that with the music skills acquired
in this project, and in collaboration with the North East District Council authorities, these youth
will be able to combat poverty.
Youth who take part in this project learn through apprenticeships:
performing skills
how to make traditional instruments, (including drums, leg rattles, hand rattles) and
costumes and accessories (dancing sticks, beads for ornaments, skirts and blouses, etc.)
and acquire life skills, entrepreneurial skills, societal and moral values such as selfdiscipline
and respect
CURRENT STATUS:
Performances were given in community cultural festivals and in schools for traditional music
competitions. School dropouts throughout the North Eastern District of Botswana had shown
interest in musical performances, but unfortunately the project is not currently running due to lack
of resources and support.
However, the Botswana government is encouraging:
Both young and old in every tribe to revive their traditional musical ceremonies and
values attached to them. This has been promoted through cultural festivals which have
been scheduled as an annual event in May
Youth to find any form of entrepreneurial and self-empowering activities to alleviate
unemployment – including skills such as building traditional instruments, costumes, etc.
That attract tourists – including performing in cultural festivals and competitions
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-07272005-111410/
http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/bakalang.htm
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Organization: University of Botswana – Faculty of Education
Address: P/Bag UB 00702 - - Gaborone - Botswana
Phone: 3555098, Fax: 267 3185096
Contact Person: Dr. Otukile Sindiso Phibion
Email: phibion@mopipi.ub.bw
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