The Kirby Collection of African Instruments and Dizu Plaatjies

ABOUT

The Kirby Collection at UCT's South African College of Music is a unique example of the musical heritage of Southern Africa. Curator Richard M Deja, PhD, presents the acclaimed collection together with Anthea van Wieringen, granddaughter of the collector Prof Percival Kirby. 

The Kirby Collection at the South African College of Music (UCT) is a unique and irreplaceable pre-urbanization example of the musical heritage of Southern Africa. This internationally recognized collection of more than 600 musical instruments is an important research and educational resource, making a key contribution to the knowledge and understanding of musical traditions. The collection was put together in the 1920s and 30s by Percival Kirby, musical organiser at the Natal Education Department and later Professor at Wits University. The collection and his research became the basis for a book, the second, revised edition of which appeared in 2015 with Anthea van Wieringen’s assistance under the title Musical Instruments of the Indigenous People of South Africa.  

Richard M Deja, PhD, Lecturer in Ethnomusicology and African Music and Curator of the Kirby Collection of Musical Instruments, will present the collection and Kirby’s granddaughter Anthea van Wieringen will reflect on her grandfather’s general character, multiplicity of talents and notable foresight for his time. The tour will discuss some of the challenges these types of collections present and open a conversation on how to engage with them today. In addition, it will be complemented by a musical demonstration by students and Professor Dizu Plaatjies of the African music section at the South African College of Music, UCT.

Rick Deja Dizu Plaatjies

The Kirby Collection at SACM

DIRECTIONS