Senegal launches an inventory of its traditional music

13 August 2013

Senegal is mobilizing local authorities and communities to undertake an inventory of its traditional music situated in the Senegal River Valley in the north-east and in Kédougou region in the south-east. These regions host a large variety of traditions and genres that have social, spiritual and cultural functions essential for social cohesion.

The concerned communities will receive training on inventorying traditional music and related craft skills and sustainably managing a database, in order to strengthen the viability of this music and its transmission to future generations. The database will be an important source for research, education and the promotion of traditional artists.

The project will be conducted with the help of national authorities, local communities, Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire (IFAN), the Senegalese Copyright Office (BSDA) and the national orchestra of Senegal, in cooperation with the UNESCO Office in Dakar. An amount of US$80,789 was granted by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for this purpose. It is expected to be completed by 2014.

• Senegal,