The Mutual Influence of Culture and Music: A Study of Mijikenda Kaya Songs and Society in Kenya

Mijikenda kaya songs serve as a vital link between cultural identity and social cohesion, reinforcing spiritual beliefs, moral values, and communal organization while also adapting to the pressures of urbanization, modernization, and globalization. This study reveals that these songs act as both a preservative of indigenous knowledge and a dynamic element in Mijikenda society, influencing—and being influenced by—cultural transformation. Using ethnomusicological and sociocultural approaches, researchers analyzed oral histories, ritual practices, and contemporary reinterpretations to demonstrate the reciprocal relationship between music and culture. The findings underscore the importance of safeguarding these musical traditions to maintain social peace and continuity in modern Kenyan society.

Mutuku, J. M. (2026). The Mutual Influence of Culture and Music: A Study of Mijikenda Kaya Songs and Society in Kenya. Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov. Series VIII: Performing Arts, 227–232. https://doi.org/10.31926/but.pa.2025.18.67.3.17