Primal Spirituality of Indigenous Songs in African Christianity. A Theological and Ethical Analysis of Some Selected Lyrics of Agbadza and Bobobo Music

Thèse de Doctorat , 2024 , 268 Pages , Note: 3.95 (A)

Didactique - Théologie, Pédagogie de Religion

Africans have the capability to express their primal knowledge to enrich their Christian faith. Their primal spiritual knowledge is expressed through oral means such as singing accompanied by drumming and dancing. The expression of their primal spirituality helps them to present their spirit, soul and body wholly to God. This primal condition of being spiritual is the personal quality prior to any other religious beliefs, such as Christianity. Therefore, African Christianity is how to live the Christian faith and worship God within the African way of life, and not necessarily syncretising different systems of religious beliefs, but the expression of the soundness of Africanness. Hence, the thesis has been grounded in The Concept of Africanness in African Christianity, which is how Christianity would communicate with African cultural heritage. A distinct way of expressing Africanness can be noticed when Agbadza and Bᴐbᴐbᴐ music and the lyrics that are akin to Scripture are engaged in some African churches to worship God. This primal expression is functionally identical in the Apostles Revelation Society, and some branches of the Global Evangelical Church (hereinafter called the ARS and GEC, respectively). Nevertheless, while Agbadza is culturally considered as war music among the Anlo-EƲe, Bᴐbᴐbᴐ music among the EƲedome is also seen as immoral and frown upon. Notwithstanding these mixed feelings towards Agbadza and Bᴐbᴐbᴐ cultural music, majority of Christians get exceedingly excited about the engagements between these cultural music and Christian faith in their churches. The main objectives of the study are to find out why they get excited when these cultural music are being engaged in the churches, and the war and immoral nature of these music. In addition, the theological and ethical thoughts on some selected lyrics are considered. Finally, what would the ARS and GEC do differently to lay bare the impact these cultural music should have on their communities, which guarantee their future and sustainability in the churches. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, theological, ethical, and phenomenological methods are blended as qualitative technique has been adopted in data collection and analysis. The reason why the worshippers get excited about these cultural music had been explored, and the theological and ethical thoughts on the practice were examined.

Table of Contents

• Chapter One: Introduction
• 1.1 Background of the Study
• 1.2 Statement of the Problem
• 1.3 Research Questions
• 1.4 Objectives of the Study
• 1.5 Significance of the Study
• 1.6 Scope of the Study
• 1.7 Limitations of the Study
• 1.8 Definition of Key Terms
• 1.9 Organization of the Study
• Chapter Two: Literature Review
• 2.1 The Concept of Africanness in African Christianity
• 2.2 Primal Spirituality
• 2.3 The Use of Indigenous Music in African Christianity
• 2.4 The Significance of Agbadza and Bɔbɔbɔ Music
• 2.5 The Theological and Ethical Dimensions of Indigenous Music
• Chapter Three: Methodology
• 3.1 Research Design
• 3.2 Population and Sampling
• 3.3 Data Collection Methods
• 3.4 Data Analysis Methods
• 3.5 Ethical Considerations
• Chapter Four: Data Analysis and Findings
• 4.1 The Excitement of Worshippers
• 4.2 Theological and Ethical Thoughts on Selected Lyrics
• 4.3 Eco-Ethical Dimensions of the Lyrics
• Chapter Five: Discussion of Findings
• 5.1 The Communicative, Healing and Deliverance, Inspirational and Encouraging Nature of the Lyrics
• 5.2 Theological Thoughts Embedded in the Songs
• 5.3 Eco-Ethical Implications of the Lyrics
• 5.4 The Role of the ARS and GEC in Promoting Africanness
• Chapter Six: Recommendations
• 6.1 Reinterpretation of the Lessons in Cultural Music to Address Ecological Issues
• 6.2 The Need for Holistic Missions and Structural Sin Prevention
• 6.3 The Role of Education in Fostering Generational Thinkers
• 6.4 Collaborative Efforts to Employ Cultural Music for Eco-Care
• Chapter Seven: Conclusion

Objectives and Key Themes

This dissertation explores the theological and ethical implications of the use of indigenous songs, specifically Agbadza and Bɔbɔbɔ music, within the context of African Christianity, specifically the Apostles Revelation Society (ARS) and Global Evangelical Church (GEC) in Ghana. The research seeks to understand why these musical traditions generate excitement among worshippers and to analyze the theological and ethical content of selected lyrics.

• The role of indigenous music in expressing primal spirituality within African Christianity
• The theological and ethical dimensions of Agbadza and Bɔbɔbɔ lyrics
• The impact of these musical traditions on the worshippers, particularly their emotional and spiritual responses
• The potential for using these musical forms to address environmental issues and promote eco-care within the church
• The significance of promoting African cultural heritage within the Christian context

Chapter Summaries

• Chapter One: Introduction

This chapter introduces the research problem, outlining the use of indigenous songs within African Christianity and the specific context of the ARS and GEC in Ghana. It defines key terms and outlines the research questions, objectives, and significance of the study.

• Chapter Two: Literature Review

This chapter reviews relevant literature on the concept of Africanness in African Christianity, primal spirituality, the use of indigenous music in African Christianity, and the significance of Agbadza and Bɔbɔbɔ music within the Ghanaian cultural context. It also explores the theological and ethical dimensions of indigenous music.

• Chapter Three: Methodology

This chapter details the research design, population and sampling methods, data collection and analysis techniques, and ethical considerations employed in the study.

• Chapter Four: Data Analysis and Findings

This chapter analyzes the data collected and presents the findings, focusing on the reasons behind the worshippers' excitement, the theological and ethical thoughts embedded in the selected lyrics, and the eco-ethical implications of the songs.

• Chapter Five: Discussion of Findings

This chapter discusses the findings in detail, exploring the communicative, healing, and inspirational aspects of the lyrics, the theological perspectives embedded in the songs, the potential for eco-care through these musical traditions, and the role of the ARS and GEC in promoting African cultural heritage within the Christian context.

• Chapter Six: Recommendations

This chapter offers recommendations for reinterpreting the lessons in Agbadza and Bɔbɔbɔ music to address environmental issues, the need for holistic missions and structural sin prevention, the role of education in fostering generational thinkers, and collaborative efforts to employ cultural music for eco-care.

Keywords

This dissertation focuses on the themes of African Christianity, primal spirituality, indigenous music, Agbadza and Bɔbɔbɔ music, theology, ethics, eco-ethics, environmentalism, and cultural heritage. The research also explores the role of these musical traditions in shaping the spiritual experiences and practices of the ARS and GEC in Ghana.

• Université: University of Ghana, Legon (Selinus University of Sciences and Literature)
• Cours: Theology and Ethics
• Note: 3.95 (A)
• Auteur: Ron Macaulay (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2024
• Pages: 268
• N° de catalogue: V1494399
• ISBN (PDF): 9783389051733
• ISBN (Livre): 9783389051740
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: Spirituality, Theological, Ethical, Lyrics, Concept