It's More Than Just Music

Music can be many things to many people.  For me it's a form of entertainment, it's how I relax, it's how I express myself.  For others, it can be that and so much more.  For my world music class, I watched this film called "War Dance."  In it, a small Ugandan school is competing in a national music contest that displays music of their culture with instruments and dance. 

 What this school doesn't have in common with the other schools is their tragic story.  Most of the kids are living in small huts in a displacement camp with only one parent (if any) because their original village has been attacked by the "rebels."  Their area of Uganda is at constant war and the inhabitants have become accustomed to hearing gunshots at all times of day.  Throughout the movie, profiles of students are seen and the audience is able to get a small glimpse of the physical and emotional pain and anguish they are forced to deal with.  

For this culture, music is their source of hope for something better.  The kids practice day after day and actually do well during their judged performance, but more important than that is how detrimental music is to them.  One young man, Dominic, is seen sitting in front of a tree playing his xylophone.  He says that he wants to be the best xylophone player ever and that when they go compete he will make a name for himself and show them that his people are strong.

I guess I just find it fascinating how vastly different music is around the world.  The simple idea of music and song is anything but simple.