top of page

Sound Narratives and Cultural Identity: Sound as an Element of Belonging

  • Writer: Concreto Neves
    Concreto Neves
  • Aug 3
  • 4 min read

After reading "The Tuning of the World " by Canadian author R. Murray Schafer , I was captivated by the idea that the sound that surrounds us, the so-called soundscape, is a living universe, full of meanings, memories, and stories that help shape who we are and how we connect with the places we live, and not just a backdrop. From then on, I, who had always turned my nose up at highly academic texts, fell into a rabbit hole of research that dialogued with this vision and deepened the relationship between sound and cultural identity, simply through sports.


Soundscape: Far Beyond Noise


Schafer defines soundscape as the set of sounds that make up our environment, from birdsong to urban noises, from pleasant sounds to irritating ones. For him, this landscape is not a constantly changing organism that reflects our relationship with the environment and culture. He invites us to consider how our relationship with these sounds is "tuned." Are we attentive to what we hear? Are we taking care of our soundscape?


Along these lines, Renata Silvestre de Santana, from the Federal University of Pernambuco, adds that the soundscape is a fundamental element of cultural construction. She explains that the sounds that surround us are codes that communicate belonging, history, and shared values.


Marcos Torres and Maria Kozel, in a study on soundscapes, reinforce the idea: "Every city, every place has its own sonic identity, with variations in sounds from one place to another, and also between times and cultures." They show that everyday sounds (horns, voices, dialogue) function as elements that construct communication and the expression of local cultural identity.


Sound Memory and Intangible Heritage


The connection between sound and memory is another side of this Rubik's Cube that intrigues me. French sociologist Maurice Halbwachs says that memory is a social phenomenon, constructed in groups and always linked to cultural contexts. For him, "memory is always the work of the individual, but it is also inhabited by reference groups." This means that the sounds we remember and value are those that connect us to communities and shared histories.


In Brazil, this idea is elevated to another level when we consider the sounds of cities and communities. For example, the infamous sound of a Makita, the praise from the neighboring church, the egg car, and motorcycle turn cuts are all sonic elements that carry stories and help form a collective memory. In Sweden, Suriname, or Korea, as far as I know, this doesn't exist. The "Soundscape, Memory, and Culture" project at FAU-UFRJ has been recording these urban sounds to strengthen the identity and memory of Rio de Janeiro (Projeto Paisagem Sonora, Memória e Cultura, 2009).


Music, Expression and Cultural Identity


Music is probably the most direct and powerful channel for expressing cultural identity. It serves as a link between past and present, between individual and group, and can be a space for resistance and affirmation, especially for marginalized groups. Here, genres like samba, forró, and hip-hop are not just musical styles, but cultural symbols that carry narratives of belonging.


A personal example: I like rap and know some rappers, but I've never been "initiated" into rap. Being close to some people in the community, I've come to understand that "getting into rap" means much more than liking it, and even knowing a lot about it. It goes beyond that. It's about belonging. "Rap is a commitment", and those who are insiders experience rap in ways that just listening to it would never experience.


Sound Design and Music Education as Tools for Enhancement


Understanding the relationship between sound and identity opens doors to artistic and educational practices that value sonic diversity. Sound design can help build narratives that respect and amplify local voices, while music education can be a space to explore these identities.


Tools like sound recording and mapping are used by communities to document and reflect on their soundscapes. This transforms sound into an active resource for cultural affirmation and listening education.


Conclusion: Listening to Be Present, Being Present to Belong.


Sound is an invisible link that connects people, places, and times. Recognizing the soundscape as part of cultural identity is an invitation to listen more attentively and respectfully to the various voices that make up our social fabric.


Investing in conscious sound narratives is investing in belonging, diversity, and memory. It's transforming the act of listening into a political and cultural gesture that values who we are and where we come from, and that helps us imagine the sounds of the future together.


References


 
 
boto audio | PA - PB - PE - PI - RJ - SP
bottom of page