‘Kinesis und Katharsis’

Abstract

This paper falls into three broad sections, the first two being published in this issue, the third in the Autumn issue of the BJMT. The first section attempts, through a brief introduction to the African philosophy of music and musical instruments, to explore the reasons behind the therapeutic powers attributed to music. The second section, which opens with an introductory discussion of the traditional African causal theory of ailments, discusses the relevance of the different uses of music in almost all traditional medical interventions in African society. The last section is an attempt to draw up an evaluative paradigm of some traditional music therapeutic practices and techniques in the light of modern music therapy. Several traditional music therapy practices are mentioned, but, overall, the paper does not have an anthropological bias.

This paper is a partial report of current research into African traditional music therapy. The author's specific motive in undertaking such research is to present what is deemed valid and effective for consideration and/or integration in modern music therapy methodology and practice.