Endangered Traditions

In many cultures along the Great Rift Valley, music and dance are considered far more than mere entertainment, being an intrinsic part of life itself, used for ceremonies, and having the power to heal, to harmonize relations within a society and between society and nature.

It can be said that, generally, traditional African music is not based on individual or “virtuoso” performance, as is often the case in the West; and that most often it is represented by groups of individuals, rather than individuals. Moreover, the music is intimately intertwined with dance.

The influence of western culture, the spread of technology, and fragmentation of societies and families means that now many traditions of music are in the hands of a few elders and on the brink of extinction. The music traditions carry with them a cultural heritage that is also in danger of disappearing.

The Flyways project aims to:

• affirm the extraordinarily diverse music traditions along the Great Rift by promoting them within their home countries and beyond
• provide opportunities for decision-makers in the various countries to better appreciate their environmental and musical heritage
• use music and culture to promote dialogue within and between communities, in order to bring people together to address shared environmental problems
• celebrate diversity and common ground by bringing together musicians in creative collaboration