An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

could not read or write. Such music created important focal points of social interaction.Prior to the emancipation of the slaves, such activities were called „tea meetings.‟Prayer meetings in COGIC appears to have similar functions.Extract from observationFirst song 332 from the Redemption Songs: I need no other argument-----------4 th verse: My great physician healsSecond song: 567All songs were prayerful with a slow tempo. There is no music in the prayer meetingand the fasting services. The group members rely on their knowledge of the songtherefore at least two people must know the song and have the confidence to sing andlet the others follow their lead.MacRobert (1988) describes how the extensive use of instrumental music, drumming,singing and dancing are associated with rituals as a religious expression of receiving theSpirit in many African countries as well as the New World. Drumming, singing anddancing passed into the Negro Spiritual for the slaves in the West Indies and America,representing a theological, political, social, historical and cultural inheritance, althoughEuropeans made every effort to reduce it to the conventional musical notation whichcharacterised western hymnody and secular music. Nonetheless, the embodiment ofbiblical themes in the Negro Spiritual enabled Black people to transcend enslavementand look to God for liberation and freedom from oppression.For Pentecostals, music, singing and shouting open up the worshipper to the power ofthe divine. Becord‟s (2006) exposition of the politics of sound confirm that sound is286