Maskandi: A critical general inductive approach of Zulu indigenous song

Abstract

Although different researchers have written various papers about Zulu culture, very little is known about the close connection between maskandi music and Zulu culture. As a result this study reports on maskandi music as a means of preserving cultural treasures from the perspective of a critical general inductive approach and then draws inferences on how this indigenous music genre can be a tool for bringing about peace and reconciliation among people. Zulu maskandi music was chosen as a representative of African indigenous music genres that preserve cultural treasures. The main finding of the analysis is that the reported music genre reveals three interrelated components, that is dynamics of language, dynamics of the Zulu culture and the different listeners/audiences of this genre. While these components complement one another, they are also interwoven. When listening to maskandi music, listeners acquire knowledge of the Zulu culture embedded in the language. The significance of this study is that it reveals that, through music, people can learn more about one another’s culture. Therefore, music can be used as a bridge builder between cultures.