Routledge Music, Health, and Power - SOAS Studies in Music

Explore the deep connection between sound and community wellness in Music, Health, and Power. This book provides an original, on-the-ground analysis of how music helps build healthy communities in The Gambia. By looking closely at kanyeleng fertility societies and HIV/AIDS support groups, the text reveals how women use music to turn stigma and marginality into new forms of power. Based on ethnographic research conducted over 13 years from 2006 to 2019, this work moves away from deficit narratives. Instead, it presents a strengths-based framework that highlights the creativity and resilience of Gambian performers. This study is an essential resource for those interested in the social impact of music and its role in public health and social agency.