Global Partners 2003
East Africa Travel Grant Report

Thomasina Neely-Chander, Spelman College

Fax number: 1-404-215-7771

The Global Partners Project enabled me to embark on a research project that involved the ethnomusicological study of Tanzanian kwaya or choral music. Singing in Tanzania is most often accompanied by dance, drumming, musical instruments, folk narratives and drama. Ethnomusicology is the scholarly investigation of music as life. Music as life or music as culture means musical arts and oral traditions are deeply embedded within every day social contexts such as life cycle events, rites of passage, religious event, festival events, recreational activities, labor activities, political events, and more. As an interdisciplinary field of study, ethnomusicology uses models of various fields such as sociology, anthropology, folklore, history, religious studies, psychology, linguistics, literary arts and of course music to understand how life translates into musical sound and how music mirrors life experiences. The aim is to scrutinize more than just the sound or stylistic components of musical performances, but the life experiences behind the sound. As an ethnomusicologist with a concentration in music and culture of the African diaspora, my research aims in the study of Tanzanian kwayas was based on these research modes. I actively engaged in an ethnological as well as a performance methodology in order to learn about the role of kwaya music in Tanzanian society. Research was conducted at a university setting, three primary school settings and three faith based or church settings. As I set out to engage in research, I was able to collaborate with Tanzania’s Center for Disease Control, American Embassy, and University of Dar es Salaam. I also had the most humbling privilege to conduct fieldwork in three churches including the Msasani Lutheran Church, Dar es Salaam Pentecostal Church and Manzese "B" Tanzania Assemblies of God to view how faith and spirituality is conveyed in kwaya performances and its role in overcoming struggle among youth.

It was fascinating to learn that kwaya music serves a utilitarian role and is more than simple singing for entertainment or amusement. Singing is a way to educate, uplift, empower, encourage, warn, inspire and enhance life in relation to social conditions. While teaching African American music history and culture as well as the field of ethnomusicology to the students in the Fine and Performing Arts Department at the University of Dar es Salaam, one particular theme stood out. This was AIDS/HIV, the rapidly growing menace to Tanzanian communities especially among the youth. Kwaya or choral music that included Tanzanian traditional songs with drumming and dancing in conjunction with African American blues, folk spirituals, gospel and Civil Rights songs were blended as an education-entertainment project that I initiated. We studied this music historically, culturally, socially, stylistically and aesthetically and then choreographed through drama, dance and narratives special songs with messages about the effects of AIDs in society. With media coverage and technical support provided by the Center for Disease control and the American Embassy, this project was toured to three schools: Mlimani Public School, Msewe Public School and Julius K. Nyerere Private School. Children not only enjoyed the multimedia performances through these varied cultural art forms of their own heritage, but was introduced to the singing traditions of African Americans as social political tools against injustices and oppression. Most importantly, this project provided life sustaining messages to young people about health care options, AIDS prevention and community support. A primary goal was to encourage positive behavioral change and less stigmatization of the sick and dying. Educational coloring books and other pamphlets about AIDS was given to each child.

I was strongly encouraged by the American Embassy and Center for Disease Control to return and apply for a United States Fulbright- African Regional Award for Tanzania and have already applied. My plan is to return for nine months to teach, research and continue this pioneering and performing arts project to view the effects of African transnational singing traditions in the fight against AIDS and other social ills. Spelman College will also reap benefits from my research study and audio visual fieldwork as I introduce Tanzanian music and culture to my World Music and African American Survey courses.

For additional information, please contact Matt Horstman at horstman@glca.org or 1-734-761-4833.