Indigenous Games, Dance, and Music for Promoting Health and Well-being of the Aged, North- West Province

MIKS, North-West University, Mahikeng Campus

Indigenous games, music, and dance are part of many African cultures and traditions. In many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, many aged people from the age of 60 and above are suffering from one-to-many chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, bone fracture, heart diseases, and many more due to their old age and their bodies being prone to diseases due to poor immune systems. Moreover, many aged people have been playing their indigenous games and dancing to their indigenous dances from their childhood until their olden days, this has been not only to preserve their indigenous knowledge and have fun, but also to improve their mental, physical and emotional health, and wellbeing. The study aimed to document the benefits of health and well-being found in indigenous games, music, and dance to the aged people of Khunwana and Sione, which are villages found in the North-West Province. This study used a qualitative approach with a population size of 40 respondents. Furthermore, the study used in-depth interviews and observations for data collection. The findings of the study of the knowledge were given by aged people who take part in indigenous games, music, and dance for the promotion of their health and wellbeing. Moreover, the aged people have different health problems and used various games and dances to improve their health and wellbeing. The study also concluded that different aged people experience different challenges when it comes to playing games or dancing and also, they are being limited by different factors such as weather and various, negative moods etcetera. The findings of the study highlighted that the preservation of indigenous games, music, and dance is of high importance not only for maintaining customs and traditions but to benefit many of the aged people in areas with poor healthcare services, and as a result reduce a high number of dependencies on the government healthcare services. The study showed that there is still a lot to be done such as raising awareness about the importance of indigenous games, dance, and music not only for the benefit of the aged people of these respective areas but for Africans as a whole. The study suggests that the government should provide funds and awareness of indigenous games, music, and dance at healthcare facilities for people to realize their importance and utilize them. The study concluded that it is indeed true that the participation of aged people in indigenous games, music, and dance helps them to improve their physical, emotional, and mental health and well-being such as reducing stress, pains, stiffness, and negative moods and so on. Moreover, the study further revealed that aged people that exercise using indigenous games, music, and dance age slowly and happily, and they enjoy, and are unlikely to be affected by diseases. Considering the findings, the study recommends that knowledge about indigenous games, music, and dance should be preserved by aged people as they participate in them and share knowledge with others.

Masters