When African children dance to the rhythm of African drums or sing traditional songs, they are not just having fun but engaging in one of the most effective educational tools available. African music, with its rich rhythms, call-and-response patterns, and communal nature, has proven to be a powerful learning tool in childhood development.

Beyond entertainment, the popular Yoruba counting song "Okan, Eji, Eta… " in the South Western part of Nigeria teaches numbers through catchy melodies. Similarly, the Swahili "Jambo Bwana," which originated from Kenya in the early 1980s, introduces basic greetings and cultural courtesies. We are not quick to forget the Zulu game song "Siyahamba" which teaches teamwork while helping the young learners to build their everyday vocabulary. In Burkina Faso, the "Diarra Loro Lora” rhythms tell stories of animals— lion, antelope, baboon, … — educating children about animals through music.

In today’s modern classrooms, traditional music elements can be and are already being incorporated into the educational curriculum to enhance learning and improve the overall learning experience. One example is the use of African drums. According to Mr Steven in The Journal of Mathematics and Culture, [there’s a] … marriage of drumming and maths…" A practical application would be the use of Djembe's bass, tone, and slap sounds to teach counting in threes or the three times table. Interestingly, scientists have discovered that the world's best drummers use extremely high-level mathematics in their drum patterns. In learning a tonal language like Yoruba, the Bata drum (or the talking drum) can be a great learning aid when the drum is beaten to mimic the spoken Yoruba language, thus allowing the young learners to pick their mother tongue while listening to music or singing. These and many other African instruments or songs can be used as educational learning tools.

At the Foster program, an initiative by the African Music Library, we implement a three-phased, practical-inclusion curriculum for music education. This has significantly benefited the Foster students academically and socially while also improving their cognitive skills.

As we continue to evolve our educational approaches, the role of African music in childhood education is becoming increasingly vital. Would you like to be part of this transformational and impactful learning experience for young African learners? Please send us an email at librarian@africanmusiclibrary.org

At the Foster program, an initiative by the African Music Library, we implement a three-phased, practical-inclusion curriculum for learning.

The Power of African Music in Early Education

At the Foster program, an initiative by the African Music Library, we implement a three-phased, practical-inclusion curriculum for learning.

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