Go to AfricaBib home

Go to AfricaBib home Africana Periodical Literature Go to database home

bibliographic database
Line
Previous page New search

The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here

Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Indian Ocean crossings: music of the Afro-Asian diaspora
Author:Jayasuriya, Shihan de SilvaISNI
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]
Views
Cover