THE ROLE OF MUSIC IN CULTURAL IDENTITY AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Keywords:
cultural identity, music, social movements, powerful medium, bibliometric analysisAbstract
This systematic literature review explores how music functions as a powerful medium for cultural identity construction and social movement mobilization. Drawing from 45 peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024, the review synthesizes findings across diverse disciplines including ethnomusicology, cultural studies, and digital media research. Using the PRISMA methodology and VOSviewer bibliometric analysis, this study identifies three major thematic domains: music’s role in life-course identity development, its function in preserving and transmitting cultural heritage, and its evolving significance in digital activism. The results highlight music’s dual capacity to express personal narratives and strengthen communal ties through ritual, protest, and digital performance. Additionally, the review uncovers methodological gaps and calls for more integrative research that includes non-Western frameworks and underrepresented communities. The findings have implications for educators, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to harness music’s transformative potential in education, cultural preservation, and sociopolitical engagement. Ultimately, this study affirms that music is not merely an artistic expression but a socially embedded practice that shapes how people understand themselves and their communities in both analog and digital contexts.
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