Kabarak University and the University of Venda brought African cultures together through music, traditional dance, storytelling and food at the inaugural African Heritage Music and Food Festival held in South Africa.
The African Musicology Institute marked an important milestone in the promotion of African cultural heritage through the inaugural African Heritage Music and Food Festival, held on 23 September 2026 at the University of Venda in South Africa.
Representing Kabarak University at the festival was Professor Mellitus Nyongesa Wanyama, Director of the African Musicology Institute (AMI-KABU), who joined delegates and cultural practitioners from across Africa in celebrating the continent’s rich musical and cultural heritage.
Organised by the University of Venda and Kabarak University through AMI-KABU, the festival was held under the theme “Celebrating Africa’s Living Heritage Through Food and Music.” It brought together musicians, academics, cultural practitioners, traditional leaders and students from Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The festival provided a platform for participants to experience Africa’s rich cultural diversity through traditional music, dance, storytelling and cuisine. Performances by cultural groups from across the continent offered an opportunity to share indigenous traditions and appreciate the cultural identities that connect African communities.
Traditional foods also played a central role in the celebrations, highlighting the knowledge, history and customs passed down through generations. Together, music and food demonstrated how cultural practices preserve collective memory and create opportunities for learning across communities.
The festival reflected the wider work of the African Musicology Institute, which promotes the study, preservation and revitalisation of African musical heritage.
Through its cultural programmes and academic activities, AMI-KABU provides a platform for researchers, artists, students and communities to engage with African music and indigenous knowledge. The festival brought these groups together, creating opportunities for cultural exchange and further exploration of Africa’s musical traditions.
The event also highlighted the importance of involving young people in preserving cultural heritage and ensuring that indigenous knowledge continues to be documented, practised and passed on to future generations.
The participation of delegates and performers from several African countries demonstrated the potential of music and cultural exchange to strengthen relationships across the continent.
The inaugural festival laid the foundation for a proposed annual gathering celebrating Africa’s living heritage. For AMI-KABU, the initiative creates an opportunity to expand cultural engagement, strengthen academic collaboration, and promote greater appreciation of African music and traditions.
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