Words from the Wise (Not Me)

"From the viewpoint of the Americas…it appears that the primary value of what exists of Africa is that it provides a basis for the development of tradition, for exploring new directions without loss of musical identity. Africa, therefore provides a source of strength. That is why African roots must be viewed in terms of creative processes that allow for continuity and change" (J. H. Kwabena Nketia, Ethnomusicology and African Music, 335).

"I consider myself a son of the world, but also a son of Africa" (Daniel Vidart, translation from presentation at the Coloquio Internacional Montevideo: October 1, 2011).

J. H. Kwabena Nketia

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of hearing presentations by Joseph H. Kwabena Nketia, Ghanaian musicologist and composer, and Daniel Vidart, Uruguayan anthropologist and poet. Both men spoke at the Coloquio Internacional de Música in Montevideo, themed "Music between Africa and the Americas." It was a weekend of ethnomusicological presentations, confrontations, and more often than not, candombe. I highlight these two because after their presentations, I walked away inspired; unlike many of the heated exchanges that took place during Q&As with other speakers.

In my previous post, I cited Kofi Agawu, and the idea of "seeking sameness in order to highlight difference." This is why I began this post citing Professor Nketia, whose presentation closed the Coloquio. His message was overwhelmingly one of highlighting not just difference, but the "significance of difference." Admittedly, I'm still wrestling with why I feel the addition of "significance" adds a more positive vibe to the study of difference. Quite possibly it's because in so many discussions of music, I feel we highlight the negative qualities of difference.

Returning to the first quote by Nketia, I'd like to point out that statements like this are often criticized for painting a portrait of a unified, homogenous continent. However, it would be silly to believe, even for a moment, that Professor Nketia isn't aware of the geographical, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity of his native country. When reading literature regarding the music of Africa, the common thread is not often a lack of diversity, but the significance of community within the diverse musical cultures. Therefore, viewing Africa as "a source of strength" provides the sense of a place free of segregation, unlike the Americas. Of course this is a utopian ideal, but perhaps one that is needed in the building of communities, and even nations. I also appreciate that this statement doesn't mention race, since anyone who has grown up in popular cultures of the Americas and the Caribbean has taken part in the "processes" of "continuity and change."

Daniel Vidart

The important part is to recognize this, as Professor Vidart stated. We are sons and daughters of the world...sons and daughters of Africa. To borrow one more quote from the Coloquio, this time some lyrics from the musicologist Pete Seeger, through his nephew, also a musicologist, Anthony Seeger: "We're all mixed up." This is all leading me to a post on heritage, patrimonio. A word that for me, being from South Carolina, has always carried a lot of baggage.

Next episode.