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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Indian Ocean crossings: music of the Afro-Asian diaspora |
Author: | Jayasuriya, Shihan de Silva |
Year: | 2008 |
Periodical: | African Diaspora: a Journal of Transnational Africa in a Global World |
Volume: | 1 |
Issue: | 1-2 |
Pages: | 135-154 |
Language: | English |
Geographic terms: | Indian Ocean islands Asia |
Subjects: | diasporas music identity social history |
External link: | https://hdl.handle.net/10.1163/187254608x346079 |
Abstract: | This paper examines the African influence in the Indian Ocean world through the retention and transmission of music. It draws attention to the path of musical flows, reflecting the dynamics of music itself and its purposes, and their effects on Afro-Asians and others. The author argues that music is the centripetal force in maintaining a sense of solidarity offering a broad kaleidoscopic view of African cultural flows in the Indian Ocean. He describes the routes of migrations from Africa to Asia, the musical genres brought by African migrants, the role of African music and dance in religion and healing, and the hybridization of African and European musical genres in Asia. The article shows that music and dance could not be taken away from forced migrants, who unconsciously became cultural brokers between two different worlds. Dancing and singing provided more than entertainment; they also contributed to a collective social identity. Transformed and hybridized African music has now become interwoven into the social fabric of the Indian Ocean world. Bibliogr., sum. in English and French. [ASC Leiden abstract] |