Abstract
Ritual, as a political act, is characterized by dichotomies of social injustice vs the collective struggle for justice, pathos vs compassion, and disease vs healing. The composite of music and ritual, whether in sacred or secular contexts, can serve to bind people to beliefs, behaviors and social identities. This inquiry frames a hermeneutical process; a strategic form of cultural analysis, intended to help interpret the nature of affinities, and resonances at differentiated cultural level - leading to a resolution of these dichotomies. How does the performance of ritual manifest as resistance? How is the power of music in contemporary rituals harnessed to strengthen the profession of faith? Who are the interlocutors of these rituals; those who frame the narrative of struggle for social justice? What elements of music compel people’s agency in addressing oppression? To what extent does the music ritual expand the cultural space for the community while transforming the spiritual identity of the individual? Historically, rituals, particularly those supported by music, have helped people form a buttress to social injustices predicated upon a resonance of social identities; affinities that manifest artifactually, performatively, aesthetically, and ultimately spiritually. A cultural analysis of select historical and contemporary contexts of African Diaspora musics are examined here with respect to music ritual as an act of healing.
Presenters
Mtafiti ImaraProfessor of Music - School of Arts, College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences/ Music, California State University San Marcos, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Ritual Music, Cultural Levels, Healing, Resonance, Spiritual Identity, African Diaspora
