THE AFRICAN CHURCH

Have you ever been to an African church? I am an African so I should know better. Over here in Africa (most especially in west, east and south African countries) we dance in the Church. In fact we dance like we are in a party, and even more in some cases. Do not miss quote me though, there are so many things that could be done in a party that is certainly not allowed in the African church, but dancing is certainly not of them.

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Africa is known for her cultural diversity. This diversity in her culture influences her religiosity. Across different African country, there are numerous cultural music. These cultural music are encapsulated in her religions, and Christianity is certainly not left. In African churches people can dance so actively that you might begin to wonder if your are in a church, that is if you are not use to the system. As part of my exposition today, I will be shearing with us some genres of music that are rampant in African churches. Journey then with me as we learn more about Africa and her church.


MAKOSA
Makosa is no doubt one of the most popular African music genre. It is said to haveoriginated from French Cameroons, and it runs across Cameroon, West African countries, South Africa and some East African countries. Originally, Makosa is no church music. In fact, it is a party dance kind of song. But in Africa, we don't mind, bring the party to the church. Makosa is characterized by heavy percussion, bass picking and sharp electric lead guitar solos. It is a genre that will force you to shake your body even when your never planed to. It is probably the most danceable African music genre.


HIGHlIFE

Highlife is never a dance dance dance kind of music. It is kind of music that one listens to while he/she sips his bottle of beer or palm-wine (preferably). In most African churches (most especially West African) high-life praise are rampant. Unlike makosa, highlife do not neccesary demand heavy dance. It is a kind of song that probably demands one to gradually move his/her body to left and to the right. One thing is certain though, you cannot listen to a good highlife without at least speaking your head. Highlife is characterized by a special pattern of percussion, bass lines and sharp guitar solo. Horns and special local percussions are also very crucial to good highlife music.


ARIA ARIA
Among all of these other genres, aria aria is probably the only one that is restricted to the church. It is a genre that is generally played in Nigerian Igbo (a major tribe in Nigeria) Churches. Though it is gradually becoming a pattern of praise to many Nigerian church, but it is most popular in churches dominated by Igbos. Aria aria just like makosa is highly danceable. It follows the pattern of the Igbo's traditional ogene music. Highlife is characterized by heavy percussion, steady vamping of the keyboard [with a flute like voice] base locking and lead guitar solos.



Africa is the most diverse continent in terms of tribe. She is blest with numerous cultures, and this is applicable to her music. Thus, there are so many other music genre that could be heard in African churches. I certainly cannot mention every of them today, but the fact remains that Africa takes her cultures and traditions to church. And music is not an exception.

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