Stakeholders push for copyrighting native songs

SUMBAWANGA: CULTURE stakeholders in Rukwa Region have called upon the need for traditional cultural groups to register their native songs with the National Arts Council (BASATA) to protect their copyrights.

The move is meant to enable those who use traditional songs and earn millions to pay natives for their creativity.

Adam Evarist, Rukwa region Sports and Culture Officer made the call in Sumbawanga recently at a one-day session with law- makers meant to discuss and develop a guideline to enact by-laws to be used as an advocacy tool for the adoption of Intangible cultural related issues.

The move is also meant to foster employment opportunities for youth and women in the region.
“Traditional groups tend to come with good songs yet they go unregistered. Once they register, they can negotiate as they do so much work but don’t benefit,” said the official.

He called upon the need for the by- law to incorporate recognition and fees to enable traditional groups to utilize their creativity for income generation.

For his part, a re-known chief among the Wafipa tribe Chief Kapele stressed upon the need to come with private museums that will scribe their stories on the walls to avoid plagiarism and to transmit them to other generations.

“There have been times where people come from other continents and use African stories to make films where they earn millions with the natives failing to benefit from their creativity,” said Chief Kapele.

He stressed the need to come up with a by- law which will protect the native’s intellectual property where all documentation will be registered.

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The Tanzania Media for Community Development (TAMCODE) with support from the UNESCO- Alwaleed Philanthropies Project is currently engaging by- law makers in Sumbawanga district in Rukwa region and Mpanda District in Katavi region in Tanzania to promote intangible cultural heritage.

The engagement is meant to enable them to discuss and develop a guideline to enact by-laws to be used as an advocacy tool for the adoption of Intangible cultural related issues.

The activity is conducted under the Project Titled Crafting Change, ‘Fostering Community-Based Development through Culture-Related Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Employment,’ a move meant to foster economic opportunities, especially for youth and women, while preserving the rich cultural heritage of Tanzania.

The grant initiative is part of a broader three-year partnership between UNESCO and Alwaleed Philanthropies, aligning with the recently adopted global Framework for Culture and Arts Education, which prioritizes the role of arts and culture in driving sustainable development, promoting ethical innovation, and nurturing creativity, critical thinking, lifelong learning, and professional growth.

Alwaleed Philanthropies, led by H.R.H. Princess Lamia bint Majed Al Saud, supports and collaborates on projects and campaigns with a range of philanthropic, governmental and educational organizations to combat poverty, empower women and youth, support livelihoods of communities, provide disaster relief and foster intercultural understanding.