HUNDREDS of delegates from around the country and abroad have gathered in Durban for the 40th International Council of Traditional Music Conference (ICTM) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

HUNDREDS of delegates from around the country and abroad have gathered in Durban for the 40th International Council of Traditional Music Conference (ICTM) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

The delegates from 50 countries in Africa, Asia, Canada, the US and Europe consist of experts, researchers, academics and artists.

The participants will debate topics aimed at furthering the study of practice, documentation, preservation and dissemination of traditional music in the world, including urban music and dance.

ICTM president Adrienne Kaeppler said the conference was special in that it was taking place for the first time on South African soil and in a country that has an enthusiasm and passion for its music and dance.

Some of the artists who will deliver papers are maskandi musician Zibokwakhe Mnyandu, otherwise known as Phuzekhemisi, singer Tu Nokwe and storyteller Gcina Mhlophe.