Western music therapy and Ndëpp share some practices but differ deeply

What the study found: The essay finds both links and tensions between Western music therapy and the Senegalese Ndëpp healing ritual. It identifies shared elements such as rhythm, song, and ritual, while also noting a fundamental difference: Western music therapy focuses mainly on the individual, whereas Ndëpp is rooted in community and spirituality.
Why the authors say this matters: The authors conclude that these contrasts show the limits of applying Western categories across cultures. They suggest that culturally sensitive practice, attention to local traditions, and reflection on the therapist's own position can support more authentic, equitable, and inclusive therapy.
What the researchers tested: The author drew on fieldwork in Senegal and Europe and on an interdisciplinary review of literature from music therapy, psychiatry, sociology, and ethnology. The essay asks how bridges can be built across these different cultural frameworks.
What worked and what didn't: Parallels were found in the use of rhythm, song, and ritual. However, fundamental differences remained, especially in the contrast between an individual-centered Western model and a community- and spirituality-based Ndëpp ritual.
What to keep in mind: The abstract describes an essay based on fieldwork and literature review, not a comparative experiment. It does not provide detailed limitations beyond noting the limits of Western categories in cross-cultural use.

Key points

• The essay identifies both parallels and tensions between Western music therapy and Senegalese Ndëpp.
• Shared elements include rhythm, song, and ritual.
• A key difference is that Western music therapy is described as individual-focused, while Ndëpp is community- and spirituality-based.
• The authors say Western categories have limits when used across cultures.
• The authors recommend culturally sensitive practice, local engagement, and reflection on the therapist's positionality.