CultureJuly 17, 2026
ethnomusicologist
/ˌɛθnoʊˌmjuːzɪˈkɒlədʒɪst/
Definition
A researcher who studies music as an aspect of culture, particularly focusing on the social and historical contexts of musical traditions.
Etymology
The word combines the Greek 'ethnos' (nation or people) and 'musicology' (the scientific study of music). It emerged in the mid-20th century to describe the growing academic field focused on studying music within its cultural and social settings.
In the news
The article mentions Hugh Tracey as an ethnomusicologist to highlight how foreign researchers historically collected and controlled African musical heritage. This context underscores the current movement for African communities to reclaim access to these archived sounds.
From colonial storage to open access
Read the full article ↗Africa Is a Country