Geography and the Origins of Musical Culture
It is difficult to trace exactly when music first entered human life; however, answers to such historical questions depend on how we choose to draw distinctions between music and self-satisfied grunts. Additionally, given that music is pervasive and yet we often take it for granted, we sometimes do not listen closely to music playing in the background, and we rarely think seriously about it when mentally tallying the things that affect us in our day-to-day lives. We also rarely think about how much music intersects with our lives and what impact it has on our lives and those of others. It is fair to say that music enhances different human moods at different times. When we are feeling good, music has the capacity to make us feel even better, and when we are in a negative mood, music can help us shift to a different state of mind.
When we consider the geographical position and formation of different continents, we can deduce many things that directly concern the origins of different cultures that have produced different types of music up to the present. Additionally, considering how ancient civilizations entered the historical periods of different places with flourishing musical cultures gives us clues about the origins of the musical culture of those places (Jan van der Borg, 2005).
Furthermore, the fact that the earliest writers explained music in legendary and mythical tales strongly suggests the remote and significant beginnings of the art of sound. As a result, among the speculations about how it began, the more plausible explanations are that it began as a primitive form of communication, grew out of a device to facilitate collective labour, or originated as an influential adjunct to religious ceremonies (Jan van der Borg, 2005).
Ancient Civilizations and Early Musical Development
While such theories must continue to be investigated, prehistoric musical artefacts have been found in places such as Central Europe. However, much of the structure of Western music developed in the fertile crescent around the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. The Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Hebrew cultures also evolved politically, and elements of their cultures were absorbed by the conquering Greeks and, in turn, by the Romans, who later introduced elements of Mediterranean music to much of Western Europe.
In all these early cultures and traditions, the social purpose of music was fundamentally similar because their climatic conditions and geographic locations were similar. Additionally, cultural development and mutual influences produced many social similarities. However, the primary purpose of much of the music developed at that time was religious because of the importance of magic and liturgy. Other musical functions in ancient cultures, despite geographical differences, included encouraging military zeal, accompanying communal labour, intensifying dramatic spectacles, and providing entertainment at social gatherings that involved singing (Sailus).
Generally, after the geographical formation of continents and the evolution of different physical features, these conditions influenced the people who settled in different places. The following discussion explains how geography influenced cultures and contributed to the development of different musical traditions around the world (Garfias, 2004).
Topography, Isolation, and Cultural Exchange
The topography of a place also influences the culture of a specific community. If a place contains rivers, lakes, or natural barriers such as oceans and mountains, these features can limit the movement of people and interaction with other communities, which in turn restricts cultural exchange. As a result, a community may become more focused on its own culture, and fewer external influences may be reflected in developments, especially in music.
Additionally, the climate of a place influences the types of activities that can take place in that area, how people dress, and the types of dwellings they build. If a place has a desert climate, the community living there may retain more traditional practices because its environment can limit some forms of interaction and development (Csanyi, 2018).
At the same time, despite the mingling of cultures through geographical links such as waterways and the separation created by barriers such as mountains, the conscious categorization of music is also culturally defined by each community; there is nothing inherent in a sound itself that necessarily explains such a category. For instance, shared culture and traditions determine the type of music to be heard on one occasion and a different type for another specific occasion; this helps categorize and classify music according to events (Daniel).
Natural Resources and the Creation of Musical Instruments
Furthermore, places whose geography included abundant rocks and minerals also contributed to the development of musical culture and practices similar to some of those found today. For example, the ancient inhabitants of present-day Egypt had musical instruments and undecipherable hymns engraved on stones, suggesting a primitive system of musical notation.
Additionally, the musical history of the ancient Hebrew people was highly influential on Western culture because of its adoption and adaptation into Christian liturgy. This provides a clear indication of the transfer of culture and traditions in ancient times through geographical features that facilitated human movement, interaction, and the sharing of different cultures (Garfias, 2004).
In addition, when the musical culture of the eastern Mediterranean was transferred to the people of the western Mediterranean by returning Roman legions, it was inevitably modified and adjusted to suit local cultural norms and musical innovations, tastes, and preferences. This shows that each community had its own musical culture according to its geographical location.
Modern Mobility and the Diffusion of Music
Moreover, while geography played a significant role in where civilizations began and where people settled, in the modern world the diffusion and spread of cultural practices have increased because of improved transportation and advanced communication methods. In places with vegetation that is difficult to penetrate, such as tropical jungles, some relatively isolated and less-explored cultures remain. Despite that isolation, these cultures have also developed music of their own, often used during hunting and other activities such as gathering to reduce boredom and provide entertainment (Melissa McDaniel, 2018).
In the modern world, music can be described as an art. Many people tend to enjoy music but remain removed from making it themselves. Additionally, we hear much discussion about its importance as an art; however, in our cultures, we generally tend to perceive it as a means of enrichment while also seeing it as something that is not necessary. Furthermore, many people enjoy music, but only a few of us sit down and make it ourselves.
Consequently, the manner in which music and other arts are treated in modern society can make them seem unimportant, even though they played important roles in ancient societies. Therefore, when examining how music is treated by people, we need to look beyond our cultural definitions, geographical circumstances, and individual perceptions and assumptions.
Likewise, many musicians and musical artists prefer to move to areas where music has an established place and where people have a strong musical background and a positive perception of music as a meaningful and entertaining activity. Furthermore, in Western countries, parents may advise their children to participate in music as a part-time activity while spending most of their time on other activities required to earn a living.
Tradition, Lineage, and Social Access to Musical Practice
Additionally, in some cultures, people accepted as musicians are those born into families of musicians; outsiders may not be allowed to enter the musical profession. For instance, the Imperial Household Music Department of Japan can trace its lineage to ancient times, particularly to the 9th century and sometimes earlier.
However, despite well-developed cultures and definitions of music associated with particular continental locations and geographical positions, advances in technology increasingly challenge prehistoric forms of musical development and culture-specific beliefs. Technology connects people despite differences in location and origin and can therefore reduce some distinctions among earlier musical cultures and traditions. Additionally, local and regional differences, especially in music as in speech, are being reduced or compressed into broader common patterns, making cultures appear more alike despite the continued presence of many differences.
Last but not least, divergent geographical and physical features had a lasting effect on how different cultures interacted and exchanged traditions. Even in some remote but strategically located regions, such as parts of Central Europe, communities developed distinctive languages, cultures, and musical techniques. These developments helped replace some archaic forms of expression with more diverse forms of communication and facilitated the adoption of outside cultural elements while also allowing communities to spread their own cultures to other parts of Europe.
References
Csanyi, C. (2018, March). Four Geographical Factors Influencing Culture. Retrieved from SCIENSING: https://sciencing.com/four-geographical-factors-influencing-culture-22061.html
Daniel, R. T. (n.d.). WESTERN MUSIC. Retrieved from ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA: https://www.britannica.com/art/Western-music
Garfias, R. (2004). Music: The Cultural Context. 5-109.
Jan van der Borg, A. P. (2005). THE IMPACTS OF CULTURE ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITIES.
Melissa McDaniel, E. S. (2018). Europe: Human Geography. Retrieved April 19, 2018, from National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/europe-human-geography/
Sailus, C. (n.d.). The Impact of Geography on Culture, Civilizations & Conflict. Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-impact-of-geography-on-culture-civilizations-conflict.html
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