Abstract:
The use of music as a method of communicating messages on
developing issues and as a source of entertainment accentuates its
multifarious role in many societies. Four Kiswahili songs composed by
Kenyan musicians and addressing the COVID-19 pandemic issue were
downloaded from the YouTube. These were songs by Sawbo feat.
Gyg, Indakala The Poet, Danny P. Mboka and Salome Wairimu. The
lyrics were then transcribed, translated and critically analyzed to
discern the public health messages inherent in them. This study
analyzes the use of songs as a public health strategy in the fight
against COVID-19 by examining the thematic concerns and
conceptual metaphors in the selected songs. The strategy of using
music for edutainment allows educational messages to be ingrained
in entertainment channels in order to positively change behaviours
and attitudes. Music focuses on the socio-cultural values and aids in
the executions of day-to-day procedures. Music is used here to
convey public health messages that inform the citizens about the
existence of the novel corona virus and how to cope with the
pandemic while at the same time entertaining the masses. Images of
COVID-19 pandemic are presented in conceptual metaphors. The
songs also address specific common themes that are caused by the
existence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
