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Use of Senegalese music to raise coronavirus awareness on social media
- Source: Journal of African Media Studies, Volume 14, Issue Media and the Coronavirus Pandemic in Africa (Part Three), Mar 2022, p. 81 - 94
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- 12 May 2021
- 04 Sep 2021
- 01 Mar 2022
Abstract
Senegal is a country with a long history of oral tradition, where the griot is the leading figure responsible for the transmission of messages from generation to generation over centuries. They are highly regarded and considered in society as a mediator and advisor through their music or spoken word. As Senegal witnessed the arrival of the first cases of coronavirus, a large number of musicians used social media to disseminate songs raising coronavirus awareness. Following these first initiatives, President Macky Sall met with several acclaimed musicians in the country. This led to the production of a polyphonic song released by the social media platforms of the Ministry of Health and Social Action. This article looks at music as an ‘edutaining’ and phenomenologically proximate communication strategy to raise awareness about coronavirus and the measures that can be taken to prevent its spread.
Funding
- SOAS Seed Corn Fund (Award 211558)
- SOAS, University of London