Mans, M. (2004). Discover musical cultures in the Kunene: A guide to the living music and dance of Namibia. Windhoek, NA: Namibia Scientific Society.

140 pp. ISBN 99916-637-2-X
CD of musical examples (pp.120-140: tables, glossary, sources, list of tracks on CD).

Citation: Hebert, D. G. (2006, January 17). Teaching music and dance of Namibia: A review essay. International Journal of Education & the Arts, 7(Review 1). Retrieved [date] from http://www.ijea.org/v7r1/.

Abstract
This review essay examines Discover Musical Cultures in the Kunene: A Guide to the Living Music and Dance of Namibia by Dr. Minette Mans. At the time of publication, Dr. Mans was an Associate Professor in the Department of Performing Arts at University of Namibia. According to the book’s preface it is “the first of a planned series of books for teachers and learners, describing aspects of the music and dance practised in Namibian societies today” (p. i). The book describes the musical activities of the Ovahimba and Ovazimba people in the Kunene Region of rural Northwestern Namibia. It also presents lesson plans by which students in other nations may learn songs and dances of this region. Included are insightful descriptions of these two musical cultures, useful diagrams and musical transcriptions, and 93 attractive photographs. A CD recording of 29 musical examples is also enclosed to supplement the text, and additional video footage is available from the author. This book will not only be of interest to scholars of African studies, cultural anthropology and ethnomusicology, but also to any educators who seek to include lessons from southern Africa in their curriculum.