Aixan /gâna/ôb *ans tsî //khasigu is Nambian ancestral musical that uses traditional instruments. This musical sound knowledge and skills refer to specific traditional music of the Nama people, a native minority group of Namibia.
Over 200 years ago, the Nama language group from South Africa migrated to Namibia. They currently live in the Karas, Hardap and Erongo Regions, as well as in the Kunene Region near Fransfontein.
Aixan /gâna/ôb *ans tsî //khasigu uses musical instruments such as the khab (traditional bow) and !guitsib (traditional guitar), usually played by men or women, as well as the vlies (harmonica), which is usually played by women, accompanied by humming and ululating.
The Nama ancestral music had a specific sound, texture, and rhythm with a leading melody and rhythm played by either a musical bow, accordion, or guitar, and was accompanied by other instruments, which produced a systematic harmony. To play the instruments, musicians needed to be skilled as well as have knowledge of how to tune, maintain, and fix the instruments.
The music was also complemented by dances commonly known as ‘Nama-stap’, meaning the dance steps of the Nama people. During major social events such as weddings, rain dances, birthdays, and a girl's transition to adulthood, the music provides entertainment, but it also serves as an educational tool for members of the community, for example in terms of environmental awareness.
Previously, the music connected entire communities and villages, but the art faces many threats. It is currently only practiced by a few elders, and only their knowledge and skills have been preserved. There are very few people who are capable of repairing existing instruments as well as building new ones such as the bow and the ramkie (oguitsib).
The majority of musicians are over the age of 70 or even over the age of 80 years old. However, modern developments have led to the gradual but steady replacement of traditional instruments with modern sound instruments like electronic keyboards and sound systems.
Despite being very popular in all three countries, the 'Nama stap' nowadays is mostly danced to modern music, losing its original connection with traditional music. In an effort to conserve the Nama culture and traditions, UNESCO has pledged some funds for additional research and recordings of aixan /gâna/ôb *ans tsî //khasigu, as well as transferring these traditional skills to young people in the community.