The Gambia is a country with a rich cultural heritage, where music and dance undoubtedly stand out, playing an important role in preserving cultural identity. Music and dance are not only a form of artistic expression but are deeply woven into everyday life, and are at the same time, a basis for communication through which values of individual communities are transmitted. It is especially due to its rich culture that The Gambia is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for tourists and voluntourists, the later working mostly in the Gambian educational system. The impact of intercultural exchange and the intrusion of globalization can be seen in the interweaving of global practices with local ones, which raises questions about preserving the unique cultural identity of Gambian communities. To research this, the master’s thesis sheds light on the role of music and dance in Gambian culture through a combination of theoretical facts and qualitative research findings from the field. With an emphasis on the representation of music and dance in Gambian kindergartens and lower primary schools, the influence of Slovenian volunteers in the Kids are the World Nursery School, and the influence of globalization on the preservation of their unique music and dance identity. Results of the assignment will contribute to understanding how global influences and the influences of volunteers coexist and are intertwined with local tradition. This is crucial to understanding of the current situation and position of the Gambian cultural tradition in the future.
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