Exploring the Rhythmic Timelines of Southern Benin in the General Music Classroom

Abstract

The inclusion of world music from a variety of cultures and traditions within the general music curriculum creates valuable opportunities for students to experience music in ways that are both culturally and pedagogically beneficial. By exploring the connection between the fields of ethnomusicology and music education, we can expand our current body of world music resources to include more of the beautiful and varied music traditions that exist in this world. Within this article, one practicing general music educator considers the important work of ethnomusicologists as she shares her experiences with a world music tradition that has not yet been thoroughly explored within the context of music education: the rhythmic timelines of Southern Benin. This article also includes a set of suggested learning experiences, which provides clear examples of how the rhythmic timelines of Southern Benin can become meaningful to music educators and students everywhere.