Original Research

The value of traditional African religious music into liturgy: Lobethal Congregation

Morakeng E.K. Lebaka
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 71, No 3 | a2761 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v71i3.2761 | © 2015 Morakeng E.K. Lebaka | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 10 June 2014 | Published: 04 June 2015

About the author(s)

Morakeng E.K. Lebaka, Department of Old Testament Studies, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to discover whether the integration of traditional African religious music into Evangelical Lutheran liturgical church services, could effect a change in member attendance and/or participation. To achieve this, the study employed direct observation, video recordings and informal interviews. In addition, church records of attendance during Holy Communion once a month between 2008 and 2013 were accessed. The study was done at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Lobethal Congregation (Arkona Parish, Northern Diocese, Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province, South Africa). It was demonstrated that church attendance increased dramatically after traditional African religious music was introduced into the Evangelical Lutheran liturgical services in 2011. Observations and video recordings showed that drums, rattles, horns and whistles were used. Handclapping was seen to act almost as a metronome, which steadily maintained the tempo. It was concluded that introducing traditional African religious music into Evangelical Lutheran liturgical church services has increased attendance and participation of church members. Therefore, the introduction of African religious music could be considered for other Evangelical Lutheran congregations in Africa.

Keywords

Lutheran; traditional music; liturgy; African; religious; integration; church; cultural; mission; worship

Metrics

Total abstract views: 4781
Total article views: 6980


Crossref Citations

No related citations found.