The Symbolism of Traditional Musical Practices: Cultural Meaning, Identity, and Social Function
Keywords:
Traditional music, Symbolism, Cultural identity, Social cohesion, Ethnomusicology, Communication systems.Abstract
Traditional musical practices represent a complex system of meanings that goes beyond just sound. This research looks at the many symbols in music within traditional societies. It examines how music shapes identity, builds social bonds, and reflects spiritual beliefs. By combining ethnomusicology with present-day psychological and organizational ideas (e.g., Formisano, 2024; Minella, 2025), this paper argues that music plays an important role in community well-being and serves as a buffer against modern life’s discomfort. This study uses a multi-disciplinary approach, featuring tables and figures that connect musical structure to social function. The results show that traditional music is a living tool for communication that is essential for emotional and cognitive growth in educational and community environments.
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