All
Chapters
A full listing of the broad contributions to the World Music Textbook
About WMT Chapters
The World Music Textbook is comprised of “chapters.” These are prepared by scholars, musicians, and others and they go through a blind peer review process. They may be short essays, videos, interactive sites, or they may be in other formats entirely. If you have an idea for a contribution, please reach out or consider submitting. In addition to these chapters, the resources page lists many other useful sites from across the internet.
November 24, 2025
Mediated Sufi Singing and its Popularization in Pakistan’s National Culture in the Founding Years (1947-1979)
By Shumaila Hemani, Ph.D.
Following the path of a sacred musical practice into the public sphere, this chapter explores the relationships between regional identity, nationalism, and the media.
Heritage / Nationalism / Middle East / South Asia
April 6, 2025
Pickin’ In Petticoats: Lotta Crabtree and Women In the Elevation of the Banjo
By Michael Wright
This chapter explores early 20th century efforts to distance the banjo from its African American roots to meet the demands of a rising market of women players, highlighting actress Lotta Crabtree's influential role in reshaping the instrument's identity.
Gender / Identity / Musical Instruments / Popular Music / Race / North America
August 2, 2024
The Study of Music and Gender
By Kathryn Alexander
This article provides an overview of critical issues and scholarly developments pertaining to music with gender.
Gender / Identity / Music Notes
July 30, 2024
Music and Gender
By Kathryn Alexander
This chapter provides an overview of key concepts and terms for the study of music and gender.
Gender / Identity / Music Notes
September 5, 2023
Video Game Music
By Tim Summers
This chapter considers how video game music developed and cultural and ethical challenges in creating gameworlds with music.
Identity / Media / Music Technology
September 1, 2023
Moroccan Trance: Unruly Bodies and the Colonial Imagination
By Samuel Llano
Sufi trance in colonial Morocco developed under strict colonial scrutiny and control and has been the object of fear, misunderstanding, dismissal, and even scorn. This article considers colonialism's impact on the production and perpetuation of negative stereotypes about trance.
Historical Ethnomusicology / Nationalism / Politics / Race / Africa / Europe
February 3, 2023
Ol Woman Blong Wota (The Women of the Water)
By Sandy SUR, Ashley Burgess, Maeve McKenna, Catherine Grant
The women of Leweton have been performing Water Music for international audiences since the founding of the Leweton Cultural Village in 2008, and have been practising this tradition for as long as they remember.
Activism / Heritage / Sustainability / Pacific
January 3, 2023
Music and Archives
By Ryan Koons
This article provides an overview of critical issues regarding music in archives.
Ethnomusicology / Music Notes