Folk Music of Zambia

Busy Kids Love Music

Hello Busy Kids Love Music families! I am so excited to welcome you to the fourth annual summer series of our podcast: Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music! This summer, we’re packing our musical bags and embarking on a journey to explore folk music from different countries, collecting passport stamps along the way.

DOWNLOAD YOUR PASSPORT HERE

DOWNLOAD YOUR PASSPORT STAMP FOR ZAMBIA HERE

What is Folk Music?

Before we dive into our first destination, let's take a moment to understand what folk music is. Folk music tells stories about people, places, and traditions. It's music that has been passed down from generation to generation, helping us learn about different cultures, histories, and the unique qualities of each place.

First Stop: Zambia

For our first stop, we're heading to the vibrant and beautiful country of Zambia, located in southern Africa. My family and I had the incredible opportunity to visit Zambia recently, and we were absolutely enchanted by everything -- including the diverse musical experiences we encountered. In this episode, I'll share with you a little of what I learned!

Modern Influence and Cultural Fusion

Zambian folk music significantly influences modern Zambian music. Imagine mixing a special recipe with all kinds of flavors! People in Zambia love using traditional beats, catchy tunes, and cool instruments to create contemporary songs. Churches across Zambia incorporate indigenous musical elements, creating dynamic and spiritually uplifting worship services. This fusion of musical styles reflects Zambia's diverse cultural heritage and fosters a sense of community and belonging.

Listen to the Episode

In this podcast episode, you'll hear many of my own recordings from our trip to Zambia, including performances by the Ngoni people, music played on the silimba, and beautiful melodies from the thumb piano. I’ve also put together a curated playlist on YouTube (linked below) of other examples of Zambian folk music.

Make sure you have your passport and your stamp for Zambia, and let’s get ready to embark on this musical adventure together!

Musical Samples You'll Hear in this Episode:

Here is a reel from my Instagram of some of the music you heard from my personal recordings in Zambia.

Kalindula Music - Zambian Traditional Music 2023

Tinashé: Mbira version of "Zambezi"

Playlist for Episode 125

In addition to this highlight reel of music from my visit, I put together a curated playlist of Zambian folk music on YouTube. Check it out here.

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