What challenges has the Broto horn tradition faced since 2013?

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The Broto horn tradition has faced significant challenges since 2013 due to widespread violence and looting in the Central African Republic.

Since 2013, the Broto horn tradition in the Central African Republic (CAR) has been severely impacted by the onset of violence, which disrupted musicians' livelihoods and led to the destruction of their instruments. The crisis also resulted in a drastic reduction in performance opportunities, contributing to the potential loss of the horn's traditional ceremonial role.
Destruction of Instruments and Livelihoods

The period of conflict in the CAR, beginning in 2013, directly destroyed the livelihoods of Broto musicians. Looters entered communities, and instruments were lost in fires, forcing musicians to restart their craft from the ground up. This physical destruction and loss of economic means posed an immediate threat to the continuation of the tradition.
Decline in Performance Opportunities

During the crisis, Broto musicians experienced a significant decrease in invitations to perform at traditional events. Ceremonies, weddings, parties, and funerals, which historically provided platforms for the Broto horn, became less frequent or inaccessible due to the prevailing insecurity. This reduction in performance opportunities limited the visibility and practice of the tradition.
Erosion of Traditional Role

The violence and subsequent societal shifts have contributed to the quiet erosion of the Broto horn's traditional ceremonial and initiation roles. While the instrument's unique sound, produced from termite-hollowed roots, once played a key part in rites of passage and traditional gatherings, its relevance and practice have diminished. This decline is noted by experts like Albert Kotton, director of the Boganda Museum, who observes that contemporary practices differ from those of ancestors.

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What challenges has the Broto horn tradition faced since 2013?

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