Sesotho music: a contemporary perspective

In this article I wish to explore some of the shifts in the styles of Sesotho music-making that have occurred in recent years and to study the way in which modem identities are reflected in current modes of musical expression. It is my contention that style is inextricably linked to notions of identity and is mobilised as a means of objectifying values in form or performance. As such, the study of musical style can provide a valuable insight into the aspirations and values of a social group. Moreover, the study of such styles as they are transformed over time reflects the change in wider social influences that bring pressure to bear upon cultural expressions.