Heart Music

Men singing traditional music

Since we first came to Africa, we always embraced the idea of heart language. People have their mother tongue, the language that they think in, the language with which they can truly express who they are, the language that they are completely comfortable in and in which they can understand things the deepest.

It is this concept that has driven us to learn the local language as well as we can, knowing that it may be only in the local language that people will embrace truth as their own, and not something foreign.

But this past week we have been challenged to embrace another concept--- heart music. It is not a completely new concept for us. When we were in Chad, we would sit at  the gatherings on Sunday morning in a mixed group of multiple ethnic groups. People would sit or stand and blandly sings songs in French, but then every once and awhile, they would sing a song in one of the local languages and local styles. All of a sudden, there would be people dancing. The dull faces would come alive with excitement, there would be clapping and enthusiasm. They would come alive!

Again we saw it when we came to the islands...there is a group on volcano island from Madagascar, but every Sunday they would sing in French. They sang well, but as soon as they switched to singing a Malagasy song-- the atmosphere completely changed. Again, it was like they came alive.

Women singing traditional island music

This week we had an ethnomusicologist come and help us understand about heart music and help guide some islanders in crafting songs in their heart music to glorify God. Now it is not so difficult to translate a song into a new language, but that is not what we are talking about. Changing the language is not enough. It is not only the language that can be foreign, but even the melody. The combination of notes, the scales used can be drastically different from culture to culture.

They started by talking about all the different styles of traditional music on the islands. We were shocked to see a list of almost 20 different styles. Then they discussed which ones the islanders agreed would be appropriate for singing to God. Then they took some passages from the Book and worked on creating a song. Through the week, this group of islanders (none of whom are trained musicians or particularly gifted in music) crafted three songs in their heart music. We saw the joy in their faces as they practiced the songs and recorded them. A new world had opened for them.

We hope they will keep creating more songs. We look forward to seeing them come alive by singing their heart music before God.  (Tried to put an audio clip on of a finished song, but couldn't get it to work.)

PRAYERS ANSWERED
The music seminar went well. We were encouraged by which islanders participated and their willingness to dive in and try to create songs. We were also encouraged by the side-benefits of the seminar in connecting people and focusing them on the local language.  The rains miraculously stopped for the whole week (even though the clouds were always present making it seem like rain was imminent). So rain did not disrupt the seminar! Since the seminar ended, the rains have come back. This week Ma Imani (whom we have written about before) had a scare, when her estranged husband and in-laws tried to take custody of her daughter (and only child). Thankfully it was ruled that he had no right to have the child (that right belongs to the mother) and instead he was forced to sign a paper promising financial assistance. We were very encouraged by this turn of events.

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Pray that we would find ways to continue to encourage the crafting of songs in the heart music. The islands are coming up on major elections. Everyday there is campaigning going on. Pray that the first wave of elections (happening this coming weekend) would go by smoothly and peacefully. These elections are potentially very important for the country as it impacts the presidential elections coming up next year-- pray for wise, just leaders who will lead this nation well and fairly.