Music, omnipresent and deeply rooted in African cultures, plays an essential role in the daily lives of African women. On the occasion of World Music Day, it is fitting to highlight this unique and powerful relationship that binds music to the lives of women on the African continent.
A Means of Expression and Resilience
More than just entertainment, music is a means of expression and a tool of resilience for many African women. Through songs, rhythms, and melodies, they tell their stories, express their joys, sorrows, and hopes. Traditional songs, often passed down from generation to generation, carry the tales of women’s struggles and resilience in the face of social, economic, and political challenges. Daily, African women sing to cope with exhausting and tiring activities, or to muster courage and hope for the success of their endeavors. It is not uncommon to see women waging battles through songs, as in the case of co-wives who sing to throw jabs at each other.
Music in Ceremonies and Rituals
Music plays a central role in African ceremonies and rituals, whether they are religious, social, or familial. Women, as guardians of traditions, use music to accompany key life moments: births, weddings, and funerals. These moments are often marked by specific songs and dances that have deep and symbolic meanings. For example, in many cultures, welcome songs are performed by women to celebrate the birth of a child, while mourning songs accompany funerals, helping to alleviate the pain of loss.
A Source of Solidarity and Community
Music is also a vehicle for solidarity and strengthening community bonds. In villages and urban neighborhoods, women often gather to sing and dance, creating spaces for mutual sharing and support. These musical gatherings are opportunities to exchange advice, share experiences, and strengthen friendships and kinship ties. Women’s choirs, for instance, are places where women find a sense of community and belonging.
Promoting Equality and Empowerment
In the contemporary context, many African women artists use music as a platform to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. Singers and musicians like Angélique Kidjo, Oumou Sangaré, and Yemi Alade actively engage through their lyrics and actions to defend the rights of women and girls. They inspire a new generation of young women across the continent, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and assert themselves in a sometimes male-dominated society.
An Invaluable Cultural Wealth
African musical diversity, rich in styles and genres, reflects the variety of cultures and traditions on the continent. From the lively rhythms of Ivorian coupé-décalé to the captivating harmonies of Senegalese mbalax, and the enchanting sounds of Tanzanian taarab, African music is a true cultural treasure. Women play a crucial role in preserving and transmitting this cultural wealth as performers, composers, and teachers.
On this World Music Day, let us celebrate the importance of music in the daily lives of African women. Let us recognize their invaluable contribution to preserving musical traditions and promoting social justice and gender equality. Music, a true universal language, continues to resonate with their lives, carrying within it the strength, resilience, and beauty of African women.