DeKALB – Mathew Tembo is working diligently to preserve the traditional music of his homeland, Zambia.

The musical traditions of Zambia suffered a blow from 1923 to 1964, when the southern African nation was under British colonial rule.

“It’s because of how we have been growing up,” Tembo, 39, said. “Especially during colonialism, when they said ‘you can’t use traditional instruments during church.’ We know that when missionaries came to Africa, church and education were very closely related. Churches provided education before government started doing it.”