The Therapeutic Dimensions of BaTonga Mourning Songs: A Study of “Oona mwanaangu waakucaala kunamaumbwe”

This article examines the role of a BaTonga funeral song, “Oona mwanaangu waakucaala kunamaumbwe,” as an embodied, performative practice of mourning and meaning-making. Drawing on arts-based research, grief literature, and Indigenous knowledge systems, the article situates the song as a narrative and artistic knowledge site. The study argues for the significance of contextualized musical narratives in creative arts therapies and invites reflection on how embodied grief rituals provide insights beyond conventional verbal or conceptual frameworks. By analyzing the song’s lyrical content, performative elements, and cultural significance, this research demonstrates the therapeutic potential inherent in Indigenous musical mourning practices and their relevance to contemporary therapeutic approaches.