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Month: March 2025
Angola – Conservation Music
Mozambique – Conservation Music
Mozambique
Overview
Mozambique is a beautiful, tropical country located in southeastern Africa. Its shores have dazzling white sands and jewel-blue oceans. Hills gently slope throughout most of the country, rising into high central plains and northern mountains. Mozambique’s fertile soil is lush with abundant agriculture and fauna irrigated by the Zambezi river that winds through its midsection. This country is home to 2.5 million people and is positioned between mainland Africa and Madagascar.
Arts and Humanities
Portuguese is Mozambique’s official language, but indigenous languages are widely spoken as well. Mozambique is home to some of Africa’s most prolific writers and artists. Popular Mozambican music blends African and Western influences. Some well known artists include Alexandre Langa, Xidimingwana, and the musical group Eyuphuro. A major style of music in Mozambique is called marrabenta which emerged in the 1950s. Marrabenta highlights the guitar and developed during the colonial period as a method of criticizing the government in a non-threatening, musical form. Another popular style is the Portuguese fado. This style features mournful ballads often sung by women. Mozambique’s most popular traditional music is a xylophone orchestral ensemble developed by the Chopi people.
Environmental Conditions
The Zambezi River provides plentiful water for drinking, irrigation and agriculture in Mozambique. The river is the basis for the country’s hydroelectric power industry. However, Mozambique has suffered a turbulent recent history and is extremely poor. While under colonial rule, it was drained of its agricultural and mineral products with little to no return. Following Mozambique’s independence in 1975, it was wracked by internal conflict as opposing forces struggled for control. Countless acts of warfare and terror resulted in widespread famine and disease. The environment was neglected during this prolonged civil war. Up to 3 million unexploded landmines are thought to still be buried throughout the country. Civilians and large animals such as elephants are often injured or killed by triggered mines.
Leadership
After gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, Mozambique suffered a 16-year civil war. Tensions still remain between the former rebel Renamo movement and the current Frelimo ruling party and corruption is widespread. The country’s president is Filipe Nyusi, a member of the Frelimo party. President Nyusi has pledged to transform Mozambique’s economy–which is currently one of the poorest in Africa.
Media Profile
The most popular entertainment medium in Mozambique is television. However, the state-run TVM network is the only national television network. Antena Nacional, a state-run radio station, is a key source of information and news in Mozambique. Most towns also have operating private FM stations. In fact, the government funds dozens of community radio and TV stations. Audio/video mediums far surpass written mediums in funding and popularity due to the country’s high level of illiteracy. Media freedom is constitutionally protected, but criminal libel laws discourage total freedom of expression.
OUR MISSION
To build a global network of musicians and youth volunteers to deliver environmental education through the catalytic power of music.
OUR VISION
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
FOLLOW US
Newsletter
United States – Conservation Music
United States
OUR MISSION
To build a global network of musicians and youth volunteers to deliver environmental education through the catalytic power of music.
OUR VISION
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
FOLLOW US
Newsletter
Botswana – Conservation Music
Zambia – Conservation Music
Zambia – Conservation Music
Overview
The butterfly-shaped country of Zambia is perched on a high plateau in south-central Africa. This country is named after the Zambezi River, which winds through most of the land. Zambia is dissected by swamps, river-valleys and lakes and is etched by the ancient crystalline rocks and that grace its plateaus.
Arts and Humanities
The major languages in Zambia are English (the official language), Bemba, Lozi, Nyanja and Tonga. The arts are a major part of Zambian culture as music, dancing and singing are often connected with security, health and prosperity. Music is used in tribal rituals, celebrations and for entertainment. The most widely used musical instrument in Zambia is the drum. Other popular instruments include, horns, bows, pipes, flutes, bells, rattles, xylophones and the kalimba, also known as the mbira, thumb piano, or African piano.
Environmental Conditions
The temperature of Zambia is generally favorable for human settlement and agriculture. Two-fifths of Zambia is environmentally protected and the country is known for its large variety of mammals. However, wildlife has been depleted in recent times due to human activities outside the parks and poaching within. For example, the Illegal poaching of horns and tusks has virtually eliminated rhinoceros from Zambia and has greatly reduced the number of elephants. As one of Africa’s most industrialized countries, Zambia suffers from air pollution and acid rain. Additionally, inadequate water-treatment facilities pose great health risks to citizens of this country, which has one of the fastest growing populations in the world. Zambia currently has a population of 13 million, two-thirds of which live in poverty.
Leadership
Unlike most of its neighbours, Zambia has remained relatively free of war and upheaval and has a reputation for political stability. In January of 2015, Edgar Lungu became the sixth president of Zambia and gained a new term in August of 2016. President Lungu’s greatest challenge has been Zambia’s poverty and a slowing economy.
Media Profile
Radio is Zambia’s main source of information. State-run radio and television dominate the media sector in Zambia in terms of availability. However, private television and radio stations have grown in number and popularity in recent years. In fact, according to BBC, there are currently “scores of local radio stations” in Zambia. By 2014, Zambia had 2.3 million internet users.
Our Zambia Portfolio
OUR MISSION
To build a global network of musicians and youth volunteers to deliver environmental education through the catalytic power of music.
OUR VISION
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
FOLLOW US
Newsletter
Zimbabwe – Conservation Music
Zimbabwe
Overview
The Republic of Zimbabwe is home to 13 million people. It is a landlocked, southern African country bordered by Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana and South Africa. Almost all of Zimbabwe lies over 1,000 feet (300 metres) above sea level. The country is mostly covered by tropical savanna. Due to its subtropical climate and wet summers, tree growth flourishes in Zimbabwe. Its landscape is most noteworthy for its spectacular view of Victoria Falls.
Arts and Humanities
Zimbabwe’s major languages are English (official), Shona and Sindebele. It has a diverse cultural heritage that so closely intertwines music and dance, one is rarely found without the other. Most religious and social activities are enriched by music and dancing, but traditional music genres vary widely as numerous ethnic groups inhabit the country. However, most traditional Zimbabwean music is accompanied by drums of various shapes and sizes. Percussive instruments are also common. These include shakers, leg rattles and wooden clappers. The most famous Zimbabwean instrument is the mbira (kalimba, thumb piano), a wooden board with staggered metal tines that are plucked by the thumbs. This instrument is also the basis for our Conservation Music logo!
Environmental Conditions
Since 2000, severe droughts have led to poverty and starvation in Zimbabwe. Additionally, the seizure and redistricting of farms has led to a sharp fall in agricultural output. Dramatic population growth, over farming, overgrazing, soil erosion and pesticide contamination have all seriously affected human health and wildlife. Poaching is also a significant threat to Zimbabwean wildlife. The endangered black rhinoceros and African are particularly at risk.
Leadership
Zimbabwe’s history has been stained by ongoing struggles for power, land and independence. Robert Mugabe has been both prime minister and president of Zimbabwe since the country gained independence from Britain in 1980.
Media Profile
Radio is the primary source of information in Zimbabwe. State-owned, private and overseas-based radio stations all broadcast in Zimbabwe. However, the government considers foreign broadcasts to be hostile and deliberately interferes with transmissions. The internet is relatively free from governmental interference and there were 6.7 million users in Zimbabwe by 2015. However, the internet is expensive and is regularly disrupted by power cuts.
Our Zimbabwe Portfolio
Coming soon: “Matope” by the legendary Dr. Oliver Mtukudzi!
OUR MISSION
To build a global network of musicians and youth volunteers to deliver environmental education through the catalytic power of music.
OUR VISION
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.