Benefitting country(ies): Namibia

Overview:

To be implemented by the Namibia National Commission for UNESCO, this thirty-six-month project is aimed at safeguarding the Aixan /Gana /Ob #ANS TSI //Khasigu, as the tradition of performing such music currently faces many threats. Specifically, the project intends to: improve the visibility of the element and of living heritage in general; enhance, preserve and promote the element among youth, community members and nationwide; increase the transmission of music performance skills among young people through the introduction of a community non-formal teaching programme in the five targeted towns; support traditional craftsmanship by producing traditional musical instruments; enhance national inventorying and documentation capacities among the community; and strengthen sub-regional cooperation in Southern African countries on the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. Among other activities, the project will involve a radio programme and trade fair exhibitions to raise awareness, a four-day training session to equip bearers and officials with further inventorying, documentation and safeguarding skills, and the identification of crafters to train young people in crafting the traditional instruments. The project is expected to enhance the establishment of music groups and regional festivals featuring the music, motivate local higher educational institutions to introduce research departments focusing on living heritage, and encourage local stakeholders to support further such initiatives.

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