Dr. Kiiru explains how the ACP-EU Ignite Culture Fund contributes to the archival of cultural heritage.
Dr. Kahithe Kiiru, currently the Production Manager at Bomas of Kenya, has always been a staunch advocate for the creative economy. Bomas of Kenya, a government-owned centre dedicated to preserving the rich and diverse cultures of Kenya, provides a perfect backdrop for her work. Growing up in a family of creatives, she was inspired to explore her own talents in dance. Her career has spanned multiple roles in the theatre scene, including choreographer, dancer, and dance educator, ultimately leading her to the intersection of academia. Dr. Kiiru holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Paris X Nanterre, France, and a master’s degree (MPhil) in Ethnomusicology and Dance Anthropology from the same institution.
In her role as Production Manager at Bomas of Kenya, Dr. Kiiru’s responsibilities include conducting cultural research. Through her research, she proposed the SampleBar project to the ACP-EU Ignite Culture Fund. The ACP-EU Ignite Culture Fund programme, funded by the European Union, managed and implemented by the British Council and HEVA Fund has been instrumental in bringing the SampleBar project to life.
SampleBar is a Digital Documentation Project by Bomas of Kenya in partnership with Libido Music, aimed at preserving Kenya’s diverse musical heritage. “Through the SampleBar project, we have been able to sample and create sounds from all regions in Kenya. By utilising technology such as infrared and QR codes, visitors can have a digitised experience of the sounds from across the country. This is groundbreaking, as no such project has been undertaken before, and it will significantly contribute to the archival of our cultural heritage,” explains Dr. Kiiru.
Dr. Kiiru praises the ACP-EU Ignite Culture Fund as revolutionary for Bomas of Kenya. Since its inception in 1971, the institution has never executed such an intensive and significant project that integrates modern technology. The training programmes offered by the British Council and HEVA Fund have equipped the team with crucial skills in project management, including monitoring and evaluation. These skills have been vital in the successful execution of the SampleBar project.
Looking to the future, Dr. Kiiru aspires to expand the project to target producers and artists by creating producer kits that incorporate the sampled sounds into modern music. This next phase aims to bridge traditional and contemporary music, ensuring that Kenya’s rich musical heritage continues to thrive and evolve.
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