Dec 15, 2021
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.