Working in partnership with the Pitts Rivers Museum, WACCF and Amra, the project provided 20 young volunteers with an opportunity to learn more about the musical legacy of African and Caribbean people. 

The project featured lots of activities and included elements of research, visits to museums, practical hands-on workshops, digital photography, interviewing indigenous musicians and learning interview techniques. Voices of the Elders collated hidden oral histories of elders within the community, thereby helping to conserve and make accessible historical records.

Since being a part of this project, I am now proud of my heritage and know a lot more about how music from Africa has inspired popular music today and a lot more about our great history before slavery.

Project participant

Demonstrating what was learned and archived, a selection of films are available through the Routes and Rhythm website as a lasting legacy.

One of the participants expressed how the project changed his attitude: “Before I wasn't really interested in Africa because all we are only taught about is slavery. Since being a part of this project, I am now proud of my heritage and know a lot more about how music from Africa has inspired popular music today and a lot more about our great history before slavery.”