In Lagos, Nigeria, the Lagos State government has asked that the Yoruba language be taught and learned in schools. In South Africa, young learners are taught in their indigenous languages until Grade 3, after which they transition to English in the subsequent grade. A transition that may do more harm than good. Meanwhile, in monolingual African countries like Rwanda, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, and others, these countries use their indigenous languages in education.  In bi- and multilingual countries, however, learners may face challenges in their education, particularly when they have to switch languages during their learning journey.

How should this language hurdle be tackled in education, especially for your learners for whom there's a need for them to embrace their mother tongue and be able to interact with their peers across the globe? Music.

Music is a universal language. In educational contexts, it can serve as a tool for preserving traditions and culture and as an effective educational aid. How?

Music, as an educational tool, can help in cognitive, emotional, and language development.

According to Help Me Grow MN, Cognitive development is how children think, explore, and figure things out. Improved cognitive competence and development were observed in students who participated in music at school. Memorizing complex music patterns strengthens memory functions, while composing and improvising music fosters creative problem-solving abilities, which can also boost problem-solving skills, especially in mathematics.

Emotional development is the process of building skills, discovering qualities, and developing strengths to support optimal health. Listening to and learning music provides a healthy outlet for emotions, helping children process feelings. Group music activities also help foster collaboration, empathy, and social skills among the pupils.

Meanwhile, in language development, learning song lyrics expands the vocabulary and language skills of the pupils. Likewise, music helps children develop a sense of rhythm and rhyme, aiding language acquisition.

In culture preservation, music plays a vital role. As cultures blend and evolve, traditional arts often face the risk of extinction. The younger generation, drawn to modern trends, may neglect the rich heritage of their ancestors. This neglect can lead to the erosion of unique cultural identities and the loss of invaluable artistic expressions. So, by introducing young pupils to the beauty and significance of traditions and culture through music, a passion that will fuel their desire to learn and preserve these art forms can be ignited.

The African Music Library is achieving this and transferring the benefits to the next generation through its Foster program. Foster is a social project initiated by the African Music Library. Its goal is to raise a new generation of confident and resilient individuals who have a deep appreciation for African music and possess the skills and knowledge to pursue their artistic aspirations.

Through the Foster program, the Library aspires to create a future where every child in Africa, regardless of their social and economic background, has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of music education.

To promote the preservation of African traditions and culture, as well as to enhance learning experiences in education, music should be prioritized in schools. By incorporating traditional music and local languages into the curriculum, young learners are exposed to these art forms and inspired to carry on the legacy of their ancestors.

Additionally, embracing the power of music education can safeguard Africa's cultural heritage and ensure that rich traditional music continues to inspire future generations.

You can be part of the Foster program, by reaching out to us here.

The cover art of the blog post titled African Music: Safeguard of Traditions and an Educational Tool

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