The Ubuntu Music People (UMP) Music Heritage Fund has launched its first major project aimed at documenting and preserving the works of Malawian music pioneers Allan Namoko, Daniel Kachamba and Michael Yekha.
The Fund was established by UMP to mobilise resources for the preservation of Malawi’s rich music heritage for future generations.
According to UMP, the three legends laid the foundation for modern Malawian music and their contributions risk being lost without deliberate preservation efforts.
Speaking to ProjectM, UMP Media and Communications Officer Edgar M’baluku said the project will focus on archiving and digitising the musicians’ works and their cultural impact.
“We want to archive and digitise the musicians’ music, stories and cultural impact for future generations,” said M’baluku.
He explained that the project will involve extensive field research and collection of rare materials linked to the three icons.
“The project will include field research, collection of recordings and photographs, interviews with families and friends, and production of a documentary and heritage publication,” he said.
Meanwhile, UMP has appealed to the public and well-wishers to support the initiative through funding, provision of archival materials, photographs and oral histories, with contributions open through Pamsika Online and Pay Changu.
Renowned entertainment oriented journalist, Abel Kaferawanthu has hailed the initiative, calling it long overdue.
“An initiative like this needs to be expanded even further to accommodate several legends,” Kaferawanthu said.
