Utilitarian Function of Music in Gambian Primary School
Abstract
The process of teaching knowledge and skills is adjusted to utilitarian requirements in a given country and to its level of development. Also, it is compliant with customs, religion and culture of the country. This article is a collection of conclusions about music as an educational instrument used in the Chernobaba Memorial School in Manjai Kunda, the Gambia. These conclusions are the result of a one-day observation inside the school during a regular school day. The researcher used the method of naturalistic and ethnographical observation, which provided her with information about school teachers and students in everyday situations. The results of such analysis include remarks and subjective conclusions that may inspire teachers from other cultures to change the approach to music education in primary schools. Charnobaba Memorial School teachers model sound and movement behaviours, and the children’s natural way of learning is the imitation of spontaneous responses. In the classroom, the teachers are the dominant voice while performing tonal and rhythmic sequences, and the students imitate them.
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