Music Beyond Entertainment: Changing The Mind-Set Of Kenyan Artists

Abstract

This paper takes analytical, descriptive and practical approach to unveil some new musical perspectives and useful strategies for peace and social change engagements by musicians in Kenya. While it is obvious that music entertains, it is not obvious that many of our musicians are well positioned to effectively use music to bring about peace and social change as it is sometimes desired. This paper therefore, proposes (a) Singing and Leadership (b) Percussion for Inclusion (c) Nonviolence (d) the Creative Process in Peace-building (e) Motive for Motion (f) Song-writing (g) Storytelling and Project Presentation (h) Trauma and Music (i) Workshop Leadership (j) Drum Circles (k) the Musical Playground (l) Composing Communities as critical areas our musicians should be enlightened to be able to effectively contribute to the peace and social change initiatives in the society. The paper is a reflection of my personal experience during the infamous 2007/08 post-election violence in Kenya as a composer and performer, and how my training in advanced community music leadership has impacted my creativity particularly in the use of the power of music to connect communities and to bring about some social change.