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Conservation Music
Swaziland – Conservation Music
Swaziland
Overview
The Kingdom of eSwatini is home to 1.2 million people and has the highest HIV rate in the world. It is a landlocked kingdom in the eastern part of Southern Africa. eSwatini is adorned by rugged mountains, river valleys, rolling uplands, high plateaus and African savannah.
Arts and Humanities
Most of the inhabitants of eSwatini reside in the countryside, lead traditional lifestyles and speak English and/or Swati. Most Swati ceremonies incorporate dancing, music and song. Most traditional instruments are simple in design. Popular instruments include the kudu horn, reed flute, rattles made of seedpods and attached to wrists and ankles and a calabash attached to a bow.
Environmental Conditions
eSwatini’s climate is mostly subtropical. Savannah, grassland and forests comprise the natural vegetation of this kingdom. eSwatini is abounding in flora and is home to over 2,600 species of flowering plants. However, the natural fauna of eSwatini has been severely diminished due to a growing human population and resulting habitat destruction. As such, mammals such as elephants, hippopotamus, antelope, rhinoceros, giraffe and zebra can only be found primarily in protected reserves.
Leadership
Swaziland is one of the last absolute monarchies in the world. King Mswati, III became king in 1986. King Mswati is known as “the lion” and often appears in traditional dress when in public. The King has often been criticised for using public funding for personal palaces and cars, especially as Swaziland’s economy falters.
Media Profile
The state has a tight-fisted control over the media and the broadcasting scene is dominated by government-run outlets. Freedom of expression is severely restricted. Journalists are frequently attacked and threatened by authorities. Although the government does not restrict internet access, few Swatis can afford to go online. In December 2011, there were only a little more than 95,000 internet users. However, South African media is accessible in eSwatini.
Our eSwatini 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.
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Lesotho – Conservation Music
Lesotho
Overview
Often called “The Kingdom in the Sky,” or, “The Roof of Africa,” Lesotho is a landlocked country completely encased by South Africa. This mountainous kingdom is comprised primarily of highland plateaus, causing many villages to be isolated–reachable only by light aircraft, horseback, or on foot. The Kingdom of Lesotho has a population of 2.2 million people.
Arts and Humanities
The people of Lesotho speak primarily Sesotho and English. The Sesotho language has an extensive written body of literature as it was one of the earliest African languages to emerge in written form. Thus, music, dance and literature are often combined in traditional Sotho performances. These cultural productions often weave the retelling of ancient folktales with chanting, singing, clapping and high-kicking dances. Stringed instruments, whistles, rattles and drums are just some of the instruments that grace traditional Sotho performances.
Environmental Conditions
Lesotho is a developing country. Thus, the survival of its people is heavily reliant on its natural resources. The highlands that comprise most of Lesotho are environmentally harsh. As such, the lowlands of this alpine country have very limited agricultural space. Lesotho is heavily dependent on South Africa. The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (“LHWP”) was fully initiated in the 1990s. The primary purpose of LHWP is to transfer water to South Africa. Although proceeds from this project account for 75% of Lesotho’s budget, as a result of recent droughts, the country has seen its crops wither as its water is transported to South Africa. Due to uncontrolled grazing and rushing surface water, much of Lesotho has been stripped of its natural grass cover. Desertification, soil erosion and soil exhaustion are major problems in Lesotho. Additionally, unlike in South Africa, the game and wildlife indigenous to Lesotho is sparse.
Leadership
Lesotho’s head of state is King Letsie III, but the monarch has no executive or legislative powers. The prime minister of Lesotho is Pakalitha Mosisili I. Mr. Mosisili’s Democratic Congress formed Lesotho’s second consecutive coalition government.
Media Profile
Lesotho’s most popular entertainment medium is radio. Residents of Lesotho can receive domestic stations as well as TV and radio broadcasts from South Africa. Radio Lesotho is the kingdom’s only national station. However, commercial and private radio broadcasts are on air as well. Media freedom is generally respected in Lesotho and private press is allowed to voice opposition views. Of the 2.2 million residents of Lesotho, there were less than 84,000 internet users by December of 2011.
Our Lesotho 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
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Press – Conservation Music
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
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Musicians Archives – Conservation Music
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Videos | 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
South Africa – Conservation Music
South Africa
Overview
True to its name, South Africa is the southernmost country on the African continent and is home to over 50.7 million people. This southern country is celebrated for its rich natural beauty–ranging from broad deserts and grassy savannas to natural forests and mountainous valleys. This fertile land is home to more than 20,000 species of flowering plants and 1,000 species of mammals and birds. South Africa has a relatively stable economy and its political equality has increased since the legal ending of apartheid (racial separation). However, ethnic tensions, great economic disparities, increased crime rates and the HIV pandemic are some of the major problems still faced in South Africa.
Arts and Humanities
South Africa has eleven official languages. These include Afrikaans, English, Sesotho, Setswana, Zulu and Xhosa. The country is incredibly culturally diverse. As such, popular South African music is often a wonderful fusion of different cultural influences–from pop music, traditional indigenous music and township jazz to religious ballads and the lifela song-poems of Sotho migrant workers. South African music has international popularity. For example, township music (an energetic form of music that developed in South African townships during the apartheid) has flourished in popularity not only within the country, but internationally. Even when segregated, musicians of different backgrounds often collaborate musically, forming mixed-race bands with delightful multi-cultural flavor.
Environmental Conditions
South Africa has some of the best-maintained parks, reserves and gardens in the world. However, the country still suffers from serious environmental problems. Most threatening are unbridled livestock grazing, urban development as well as surface pollution and disturbance from mining. Additionally, many environmental issues still cling to South Africa as a result of the apartheid era. Overpopulation of the former bantustans (black homelands) resulted in the overgrazing and overfarming of limited areas of land. This, in turn, led to widespread erosion, degradation, deforestation and desertification. Over half of South Africa’s population still lack access to clean water and adequate waste and sewage disposal methods. This is particularly apparent in South Africa’s shantytowns (informal settlements on the fringes of major cities). The water courses many residents rely upon for drinking water are often polluted by waste and refuse. Carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and open fires and subsequent acid rain are major sources of pollution in South Africa.
Leadership
South Africa was controlled by a white minority until 1994. This minority enforced the apartheid, a separation of races. After decades of protests and opposition, the apartheid government was negotiated out of power and replaced by a democratically-elected leadership. This democracy encouraged reconciliation and set about amending social imbalance. Jacob Zuma of the African National Congress party was elected president by parliament in May of 2009. President Zuma was a major opponent of the apartheid most of his adult life.
Media Profile
South Africa is the major contributor of media in Africa and its press and broadcasters reflect the diversity of its inhabitants. Both state-run and commercial television broadcasts across the country with hundreds of thousands of viewers. There are dozens of state-owned and private radio stations available in the nation’s capital alone. Additionally, many radio stations targeting local ethnic groups and neighborhoods are available. The constitutionally provided freedom of press is generally respected and there is little evidence that expression is repressed. Nearly 14% of South Africans have internet access–catalyzed by the popularity of mobile phones and social media.
Our South Africa 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.