ETHNOMUSICOLOGY IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY: PRESERVING AND REINTERPRETING AFRICAN INDIGENOUS SOUNDS THROUGH DIGITAL ARCHIVES

Abstract

Digital technology has significantly shaped the evolution of ethnomusicology in the twenty-first century, transforming how music is recorded, preserved, studied, and shared. African indigenous music, which traditionally relies on oral transmission, collective memory, and direct engagement with cultural custodians, is increasingly vulnerable as these knowledge holders age and pass on. This underscores the urgent need for sustainable preservation strategies. The study explores how digitalisation projects, digital archives, and virtual ethnographic methods are redefining the study of African traditional music in the digital era. It highlights the role of metadata-driven archives, online repositories, and audio-visual documentation in ensuring long-term accessibility and safeguarding endangered musical traditions. Furthermore, it examines how digital archives support academic research, enhance intergenerational knowledge transfer, and enable creative reinterpretations of musical forms. The study also addresses ethical concerns relating to cultural ownership, representation, and consent, arguing that culturally sensitive and ethically grounded digital practices are essential for preserving Africa’s musical heritage in a globalised world.