IN I Report of the Presidential National Music Commission Nq Chairman: WASHINGTON A. OMONDI, B. Mus (Edin.), Ph.D. (London) Presented to His Excellency the President Hon. Daniel T. arapMoi, C.G.H., M.P. Hon. LL.D. (Nairobi), Hon. D.SC. (New Brunswick) 1K JANUARY, 1984 it PRESIDENTIAL NATioNAL Music CommissioN I P.O. Box 40530 4V TEL.: 28353 NAmoBi, KENyA REF.: ........................ December, 1983. His Excelliency -the President, Hon. Daniel T. arap Moi, C.G.H., M.P., State House, Nairobi. Your Excellency, We wereappointed by Your Excellency in April, 1982 to prepare detailed plans and recommendations on the Preservation and Development of music and dance in the Republic. This work has been completed and has been guided by the terms of reference given to us. We now have tbe honouT to submit to Your Excellency our Report which contains specific recommendations relating -to research, preservation, education, performance and development of music and dance, as well as some reflections on culture in Kenya. We wish to take this opportunity to express our thanks for the trust and responsibility You have placed on us and to express to Your Excellency our 0 loyalty and highest esteem. Your Excellency's Most Obedient Servants, DR. WASHINGTON A. OMONDI, GERISHOM M. MANANI, Chairman. Member. PETER KIBUKOSYA, GEORGE KAKOMA, Member. Member. SENOGA-ZAKE, BONIFACE MGANGA, Member. Secretary. -A (iii) ACKNOWLEDGIEMENTS In carrying out the important task of looking into the ways and means of preserving and developing music and dance in Kenya many individuals from all walks of life were of great assistance to us. In many instances the people took -time to discuss with us Tbe matters set out in our terms of reference and provide us with information. The guidance and opinions of the individuals, official and private, who committed their view to writing or gave oral accounts to us have been of immense help. My colleagues join me in recording ouT appreciation of -their co-operation and we would like them to know that their collective effort has contributed greatly to whatever merits our conclusions may possess. Music teachers were particularly of great help. I wish to single out for special mention the unfailing support and encourage- ment which we received from Mr. G. J. Siboe, the then Acting Director of Culture. His support particularly on the clarification of specific matters of procedure was of great help to us. Special mention must be made of -the efforts of the Provincial Commissio- ners, District Commissioners, Education Officers and Community Develop- ment Officers -to ensure that our visits to the Provinces and Districts would accomplish what the Commission had set out to do. They prepared the ground for us very -well, and organized very successful meetings with members of the public. Members of -their staff attended to such important details as tTansportation and accommodation and quickly responded to our many requests and the countless demands which we made of them. I should also like to thank most sincerely our consultants, especially Professor Philip M. Mbithi, Dr. Benjamin E. Kipkorir, Dr. Asante Darkwa and Mr. H. Owuor Anyumba who inspite of very busy schedules found time to assist the Commission in the final preparation of the Report. Finally we wish to record our sincere appreciation to the efficient service and assistance provided to us by our Secretariat. Our Secretary Mr. Boniface Mganga, has -been, -throughout -our task invariablyall indefatigable, firm, patient and resourceful. We are gralefulto him and to the otber members of the secretarial staff, Misses Mary Wanja Kung'u and Irene Maina, who worked tirelessly typing and retyping our drafts, and who undertook the onerous duty of typing the final text of the report. Lastly I would like to thank the drivers who drove us safely through the several thousands of kilometres we covered. W. A. OMONDI, . Chairman. (iv) GAZETTE NOTICE No. 3500 It OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT APPOINTMENT OF NATIONAL MUSIC COMMISSION *I IT is notified for general information that conscious of the fact that music and dances are significant components of our cultural heritage, His Excellency President, Hon. Daniel T. arap Moi, C.G.H., M.P., has appointed a National Music Commission to undertake a detailed study and make recommendations on development and preservation of the rich music and the varied dance traditions of our people. The Commission consists of the following persons: Chairman: Dr. Washington Omondi. Members: 40 Peter Kibukosya- Senoga-Zake. Gerishom Manani. George Kakoma. Secretary: Boniface Mganga. J. G. KIEREINI, Chief Secretary. 0 19th November, 1982. V U (v) TERMIS OF REFERENCE OF THE COMIVHSSION Music and Dance serve -as effecLive media of relaxation to soothe the m-Ind and uplift the spirit. They are also effective media for stomge and cultiva-tion of cultural and traditional values besides being powerful instruments of communication. Against this background, and because of the desire of the Government to enhance research, development and education in the perfor- mance of Music and Dance, His Excellency the President has appointed a National Music Commission to review and make recommendations on ways and means of improving on the standards of Music and Dance in the country. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Commission has been given the following terms of reference: 1. To study the nature and characteristics of Kenya's traditional music and dance and make recommendations on how research could best and most effectively be undertaken, and research results disseminated and preserved for posterity. 2. To study and make recommendations on how performance of traditional and non-traditional music and dance could be encouraged, developed, and improved for recreation and entertainment. 3. To study and review the present state of music and dance education in the country and make appropriate recommendations for possible improvements. 4. Realizing the vital role hitherto played by Kenya's educational institu- tions in the promotion and development of the music and dance talent among the youth, study and make -recommendations on how music and dance curriculum content could be designed and developed for all levels of our education system from pre-primary, primary and secondary school level to teacher training colleges and the University level, bearing in mind the need for rdlevance to- (i) the expression of our national aspirations, character, aesthetics, and cultural values through music and dance; GO the need to relate this type of education to the objectives stated in the national development plans. 5. Examine the role of tte private sector in providing education and train- ing opportunities in music and dance and make appropriate recom- mendations as to how this role could be expanded and tapped for wider application. 6. Study and make recommendations on how the standard and content of the music and dance made available to the public could be scrutinized for improvement before presenitation. 7. Take stock of the existinCg expertise and initiative of local musicians, dancers and makers of instruments and costumes and make recom- mendations on how this expertise and initiative can be exploited to (vi) 0 maximum advantage in the training and development of music and dance in the country. 8. Study and make recommendations on how the interests of the local musicians can be safeguarded and protected. 0 M 0 I E2 (Vii) SUMMARY Kenya holds its music and dance traditions, which is part of its cultural heritage, in very high esteem. Its preservation and development accordingly raises problems which bring into sharp'focus, the question of direct and indirect state support and patronage. What is obvious is that in a developing country like Kenya, music and musicians have a difficult but vital role. Though society has present-day needs to be concerned about, it must think of the future. Can music be con- sidered serious or valuable unless it makes a contribution within this context, and has an influence on the people's way of life? It would seem essential for the musician who is the kingpin in all matters pertaining to music and musical activities, to seek a kind of perfection which anyone, regardless of his place in society, can appreciate. In general, the musician given the right kind of training likesto be -free to think, and to wrestle with form and content on his own terms. Kenyan musicians have the innate musical ability, and, if given such training and the necessary support, can hold their own with their peers abroad, many of whom, indeed admire Kenyan musical versatility. Criticism and the mass media have their particular roles to play in the propagation of music and this could be given due recognition. Another role of -the critic is to help an existing and potential audience to accept, understand and appreciate what the musician is trying to do. Discussion has helped to air and explore a variety of themes in this regard. The Commission found overwhelming support in the need for- (a)a centralall research body to see to it that traditional music and dance of the peoples of Kenya is systematically collected, preserved, disseminated and developed; all (b)music to be taught at levels of the educational system and that its curricula should be in line with the national goals and aspirations; (c)occasions for music and dance performance, such as concerts, organized festivals, to be abundant in all areas for the provision of entertain- ment and exposure to our cultural heritage duringall most times of the year. These performances should be accessible to people at minimum cost and effort. The content and quality of the music performed at these occasions, as well as the music made available to the public through mass media, such as radio and television, should be compati- ble with our cultural values and national aspirations; (d) ascertaining that musicians who are the kingpin of all musical perfor- mances have their needs catered for and -their requirements, such as music instruments and costumes -made available.