The National Arts Council of Tanzania, known as Basata, is urging young musicians to revive the use of euphemism and figurative language in their songs. This call comes amid growing concerns over increasingly explicit lyrics and their influence on younger audiences. Basata Acting Executive Secretary Edward Buganga notes that the declining use of indirect expressions risks eroding the cultural richness of Tanzanian music.
Traditional Tanzanian music often conveyed messages through rhythms, symbols, and carefully chosen expressions that audiences understood without performers having to spell everything out. Buganga said that earlier generations of musicians relied more on indirect expressions, educational messages, and figures of speech in their songs. He identified the declining use of euphemism as one of the major changes in contemporary music.
Music stakeholder and expert Abdul Ramadhani attributes the decline of figurative language partly to changing lifestyles, technology, and commercial pressures within the music industry. He notes that traditional musicians had mastered the art of using language creatively, allowing them to deliver pointed messages without directly naming, insulting, or offending their intended targets. Ramadhani cites traditional boastful songs and mipasho as examples of creative expression.
Ramadhani also notes that such expressions demonstrated a deeper command of Kiswahili while giving songs originality and leaving audiences to interpret their underlying messages. He argues that the decline of figurative language is partly due to the demand for hit records, online streams, and performance opportunities, which has changed how some musicians approach songwriting.
New-generation artiste manager Godfrey Abel identifies limited language proficiency among some musicians as another challenge. He calls for language experts to be involved in songwriting, saying that music needs to involve experts in figurative language. Abel acknowledges that some contemporary musicians continue to use indirect expressions but says more education is needed to improve the quality of lyrics.
Music enthusiast Seraphina Lucas also calls for language specialists to work with songwriters, arguing that their contribution could help restore creative expressions that encourage listeners to reflect on the meaning of songs. She urges parents to monitor the online content accessed by their children, warning that young audiences could easily encounter material unsuitable for their age.
Basata is working to ensure artistic productions make a positive contribution to society. The council's measures include classifying songs according to their content and determining suitable broadcast times, while works considered inappropriate could be removed from public platforms. Buganga emphasizes that Basata aims to promote a cultural richness in Tanzanian music that is suitable for audiences of different ages.
Key points
- The National Arts Council of Tanzania urges young musicians to revive the use of euphemism and figurative language in their songs.
- The decline of figurative language in music is attributed to changing lifestyles, technology, and commercial pressures.
- Experts call for language specialists to be involved in songwriting to improve the quality of lyrics.
