Ep 57 Nsamu Moonga

Nsamu is a music therapist and psychotherapist born and raised in
Zambia. Nsamu earned a BA in Psychological Counselling from the
University of South Africa and MMus in Music Therapy from the
University of Pretoria. A therapist grounded in holistic
anti-oppressive practice, Nsamu works with people exploring
health and lifestyle choices, medical complications, human
sexualities and gender, spiritualities and religious experiences,
psychosocial support, and learning enhancement. His music therapy
experience spans health, medical, and school settings, and
centres human development programming, design and facilitation,
community infrastructure and social development, cross-cultural
living and working.

Nsamu is a classically trained singer and enjoys dancing. His
interests include lifelong development, learning, and critical
theory-informed research. He enjoys long-distance running and
writing mystical poetry. He is a foodie, enjoys mentoring youth,
and loves being an uncle.

Nsamu is affiliated with the Health Profession Council of South
Africa, South African Music Therapy Association, South African
National Art Therapy Association, and the Institute for Creative
Conversations.


Nsamu talked about the batonga tradition in Zambia, and how he
perceives music therapy in the light of his studies and
experiences. Anti-oppressive practice in music therapy is
explored, along with therapeutic stance, and the episode includes
a bonus section after the 'official' ending.


References:


Baines, S. (2013). Music therapy as an anti-oppressive
practice. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 40(1), 1-5.


Moonga, N. U. (2019). Exploring music therapy in the life of
the batonga of Mazabuka Southern Zambia (Doctoral
dissertation, University of Pretoria).


Nsamu also referred to the work of Henri Nouwen


Luke's blogpost about the Gnawa is here.


A blog about Maslow and the Blackfoot people is here.