AAAS 342: music, religion and ritual in africa—GUIDES
ASSIGNMENTS, HANDOUTS

Caveat: Stay with the top items that are current with SPIRNG 04 class:

 

 

SPRING  04  

Assignment 1 (March-April): TAKE A TOUR OF AFRICAN MUSIC FROM HERE (BBC SITE)  (
Make sure you scroll down the page to choose a region, instrument, etc.)

 

 

FINAL EXAM—SPR  04 WHAT TO PREPARE FOR

 

 

QUIZ 2 DUE WED MAY 26

PREPARING FOR MID-TERM ON MAY 10

 

Reading ASSIGNMENT/QUESTIONS FOR WEEK 5

ONLINE ASSIGNMENT—MASKS/TWINS/INITIATION/ANCESTORS

Assignment 2 REVIEW FOR QUIZ 1

Reading ASSIGNMENT/QUESTIONS FOR WEEK 3-4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR FINAL EXAMS, AAAS 342-- WHAT TO PREPARE FOR

1.      Define 15 of the following 20 terms, one sentence each:
DIVINATION    SHANGO     ANTHROPOMORHISM   GLOSSOLALIA  NEOPHYTE
FLAGELLATION           COWRIE     SYNCRETISM         REINCARNATION   LIMINAL         ANIMISM       PANTHEON            JÙJÚ    SYMBOL [in relation to a SIGN]     THRESHOLD      SYMBOLIC INVERSION  SUFISM    TUMBUKA    EWE   YORUBA


2. 
Drawing on specific examples discussed in class and also from chapter  9 of the coursepack, “Construction and Manipulation of Temporal Structures in Yeve Cult [shango] Music,” pp. 157-163:

         A:            Give detailed examples of how the Yeve/shango religion, regulations, and membership rituals and beliefs illustrate the classic ideas of SEPARATION, TRANSITION  REINTEGRATION

         B:              In at least three sentences describe how MUSIC/MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS/COSTUME are closely identified with (or make unique)  Yeve/Shango

 

3.      Read the last chapter 10, “Modes of ritual performance in African-American Pentecostalism,” pp. 164-197 of coursepack and be able to provide the appropriate responses for the following:

       A:  List FIVE of the African features found in COGIC, as summarized in pp. 176-177.

       B: List the THREE of the “modes” described in this chapter

       C:   In about  a page (handwritten) or at least ¾ of a page, summarize all the African religious and cultural practices that are described in pages 183-188 of this chapter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAKE HOME QUIZ 2 (DUE WED MAY 26)

Read the chapter Read the chapter in the coursepack, “The Disease of the Prophets: Musical Construction of Clinical Reality,” pp. 107-137 and ANSWER the 10 questions listed on p. 137 (repeated here):

1. How does a chikanje “heat his vimbuza?

2. What is “kwaya,” and what is its role in healing sessions?

3. What day is set apart for patients to dance?

4. What are common themes of hymns sung?

5. In what ways do the rhythmic and dance modes help identify particular spirits?

6. Drummers/musicians for healing-trance sessions are themselves often possessed:  T F

7. One rhythmic mode is played for each patient even when more than one spirit is involved:  T     F

8. How does music/dance establish reciprocal relationships between healer and patient?

9. List some of the musical instruments and symbols/colors/beads mentioned

10. Name one difference between a visit to a Western hospital and one to a Tumbuka diviner’s  temple

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look up the following on the web and pay attention to the areas indicated:

 

1. (masks and their role in initiation/indigenous religion; carving; wooden figures representing twins—Ibeji in Yoruba culture)

a. http://www.lib.virginia.edu/clemons/RMC/exhib/93.ray.aa/
Exhibition.html

b. http://www.magellantraders.com/african_masks_initiation.html

 

 

2.  Festivals dedicated to the ancestors:

a.  http://www.mythicarts.com/writing/Egungun.htm
b.   http://www.egbaegbado.org/egba14.htm

 

 

 

 

 

WEEK 5 READING ASSIGNMENT

READ AGAIN  CHAPTER 2 from the coursepack, “Gods and Deputy Gods: Music in Yoruba Religious and Kingship Traditions” (pp.70-91). THEN, WRITE THE CORRECT RESPONSES IN YOUR NOTEBOOK TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS, inc+luding definition of terms:

1. In what ways does the title suggest belief in the supernatural/spirits, especially in relation to kings?
2. This essay is about which particular ethnic group, and where is it located in Africa?
3. Describe the specific ways in which BELIEF IN LIFE AFTER DEATH AND ANCESTORS is demonstrated in this essay
4. What are some of the main functions or uses of music in rituals pertaining to kings in this essay?
5. Describe how kingship coronation/installation rituals fit the structure and symbolism in rite of passage (To what extent can you say the examples described in class constitute a rite of passage with initiation at the core?)
6. Muslims from this ethnic group do not participate in kingship rituals:  T/F
8. List some of the gods mentioned in this essay and indicate whether they are part of a monotheistic, polytheistic, or animistic tradition, etc. (goddesses, too?)
9. List some of the main musical instruments described, especially those that are closely identified with the royal court
10:  Identify the following terms:
 YORUBA, SHANGO/ŚANGO, OYA, DÙNDÚN, BATA, ALAAFIN, OLODUMARE,

>>>REVIEW the structure of RITES OF PASSAGE on p. 8 of coursepack; hierarchy of gods/spirits AND KING-PHILOSOPHER-PRIEST on p. 18. and SYMBOLS associated with the royalty from the tables on pp. 53-54 of coursepack

 

 

 

 

REVIEW for Quiz 1
     NB: Quiz items will include multiple choice, matching, short responses, T/F [MONDAY, APRIL 19]

    TERMS/CONCEPTS
TONE LANGUAGE
SYNCRETISM
CUBISM/PICASSO in relation to African religious art
SUFISM
LIBATION
ABAYYUDAYA
FALASHA
PANTHEISM/POLYTHEISM
ANIMISM
ANTHROPOMORPHISM
MONOTHEISM

*EXAMPLE OF WATER SYMBOLISM FORM SPECIFIC AFRICAN TRADITIONS
              *( Go Here For Examples: http://ceeba.at/rit/rit_symbolism_of_bath1.htm )
**SIMPLIFIED HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE (DIAGRAM) OF THE UNIVERSE OF SPIRITS/GODS IN AFRICA
              (**see MBITI, p. 70;  coursepack, p.18)
IDENTIFY/LIST THREE CATEGORIES OF AFRICAN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
LIST THREE FUNCTIONS OF A CALABASH

Write FIVE sentences that summarize your understanding of the importance of the ANCESTORS and ATTITUDES TOWARD DEATH in African societies. (see several pages and chapters in MBITI and introductory materials/chapters of the coursepack)

ASSIGNMENT/QUESTIONS FOR WEEK 3-4

I. Read Coursepack, pp. 138-145 of the essay, “Music and Memory in Senegalese Sufism”
and be ready to define the following:
A. DHIKR     NUMEROLOGY    TALISMAN     ONTOLOGY   SAMA
B: i. How do Muslims view music in general?  ii. How do Sufis use music, as discussed here?

II. Read Coursepack, pp. 56- 69 on Music (Anlo-Ewe Music) and be able to answer the following:
     Questions 2 and 3 (of first set of questions under “Aesthetics”)
     Questions 1-10 (Anlo-Ewe music section)

III. Review coursepack, chapter 2: “Some Common Features of Sub-Saharan African Music,” pp. 39-55
       (note charts/diagrams illustrating these features and also symbolic usages)

Nb: link for the musical tour of Africa: http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/features/africa/

 

 

 

 

PREPARING FOR QUIZ ON MONDAY, MAY 10

A: You are now experts on the Graduation Ceremony as a Rite of Passage.  Review ALL the details we discussed on Monday, May 3 and then be prepared to write AT LEAST ¾ page essay (full page is desirable), paying attention to the following:

SYMBOLS and SYMBOLIC GESTURES
specific examples of the classic three stages: SEPARATION-TRANSITION-REINTEGRATION, with emphasis on 1st and 3rd stages.
Other areas to include in your essay: notions/examples of SACRED SPACE and STRUCTURED/SACRED TIME, both in relation to “SEPARATION,”  seat/space assignments, procession, and performance/musical activities, including speeches.  Remember, colors are important parts of symbols.

B: In AT LEAST 3/4 page, summarize the various ways in which African kingship rituals, protocols, including installation/crowning ceremonies constitute a rites of passage. You can drawn on some of the guidelines given in “A” above, but you must discuss the employment of SYMBOLS AND  and SPECIAL musical instruments associated with the royalty and the rituals [be specific]; specific examples of SEPARATION-TRANSITION-REINTEGRATION, etc.  Draw on examples discussed in class AND from the assigned chapter on “GODS AND DEPUTY GODS” from the coursepack,. You should conclude this essay by drawing on HOW the African examples are found in other societies outside of African where social hierarchy is articulated, both politically and ceremonially, as discussed in the case of the head/president of, for example, The U.S. Demonstrate your understanding of the African kingship system and rituals by integrating your understanding of KING-PHILOSOPHER-PRIEST.

C:  RE-READ the assigned chapter from the coursepack, “DEE HOO!  SONIC ARTICULATIONS IN HEALING AND EXORCISM ,” pp. 92-101 AND BE READY TO PROVIDE ANSWERS TO THE 10 QUESTIONS LISTED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LAST PAGE, 101. [You will be allowed to refer to this essay during the quiz]

 





 

 

 

 

 

 























FINALS—REVIEW GUIDE---CLICK HERE


Mid-Term review

     Home Assignments
   

QUIZ 1 REVIEW ITEMS (for Jan 27, ’04)

QUIZ 2 –SOSME HINTS (see also Week 5 & 6)
TERMS/CONCEPTS

Home Assignments
  Week 1 (due week 2, winter 04)

Week 2

Week 3 & 4

Week 5 & 6 AND for QUIZ 2

 

   Week 1:
            Look up on the internet and using the given two terms as the keywords/search terms,

       [1] Define   JUJU  in two ways:
                        a.______________________________________________________________________

                        b.______________________________________________________________________

     [2] Define ABAYUDAYA______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Week 2 Assignment
1. Define  “tone language”

2. Name one practice that shows a common belief in ancestors in Africa

3. Describe 3 ways in which African peoples differ from one another

4. Name at least one Western artist/ and style/school of art that draws on African (ritual) masks and carved images

5. Describe one way in which a SIGN can be distinguished from a SYMBOL

6. Explain INDIRECTION  in relation to African customary practices and protocol

 

--REVIEW QUESTIONS 1,3,8,13,21 of the questions in the coursepack, page 38. You should be able to answer many other questions on that page

 

QUIZ 1 REVIEW ITEMS (FOR JAN 27)
A: MATCHING TERMS/FILL-IN THE BLANK FORMAT

YORUBA
SYNCRETISM
ANIMISM
POLYTHEISM
SUFISM
VOODOO [VODU/VODUN/VOUDOU
ART FOR ART’S SAKE
MATRILINEAL
EGALITARIAN SOCIETY
JÙJÚ
ABAYUDAYA
EWE
HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
ENDOGAMY
PORO/SANDE
--GIVE TWO REASONS WHY YOU THINK THE PERFORMANCE OF “AVORGBEDOR” HAS MUSICAL FEATURES
--4 EXAMPLES THAT SHOW “UNITY”  (in our discussion of unity in diversity— DESCRIBE TWO examples outside of music, and TWO examples from musical traditions)
--DESSCRIBE WHAT WE MEAN BY MUSIC AS AN “INTEGRATED ART FORM”
--NAME 2 WESTERN ARTISTS/PAINTERS  AND THEIR SCHOOL/STYLE THAT WAS INFLUENCED BY AFRICAN RITUAL MASKS

B: RE-READ THE ESSAY ON PAGES 56-69 OF THE COURSEPACK AND BE ABLE TO ANSWER THE SECOND SET OF QUESTIONS SUBTITLED “FOR ANLO-EWE MUSIC”—I.E., QUESTIONS 1-10 (P.69

 

 

 

 

--KEY TERMS/CONCEPTS (to be updated)

SYNCRETISM
ANIMISM
POLYTHEISM
MONOTHEISM
PANTHEISM
SANTERIA
MAMMY WATA
AKWAABA FERTILITY DOLL
SUFISM
VOODOO [VODU/VODUN/VOUDOU
ART FOR ART’S SAKE
PSYCHIC DISTANCE
DISINTERESTEDNESS
ART FO LIFE’S SAKE
MATRILINEAL-MATRIARCHY-MATRILOCAL [PATRI…]
STATE/CENTRALIZED SOCIETY
EGALITARIAN/ACEPHALOUS SOCIETY

 

 

WEEKS 3-4 READING ASSIGNMENT
1. Read  Chapter 2 of Coursepack, pp.70-91: “Gods and Deputy Gods:  Music in Yoruba Religious and Kingship Traditions” (Euba)
      a.  Be able to relate to terms, names and concepts in this essay and that have been discussed in class
      b. Note the structure, and function of music
      c. relate materials to “KING-PHILOSOPHER-PRIEST”
      d. note the aspects of belief and ritual
      e. ways in which beliefs in “ancestors” are articulated here
      f. FINALLY, WRITE YOUR OWN FIVE QUESTIONIS THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO ASK IF YOU WERE TO TEACH THIS CHAPTER TO A GRADE 12 CLASS (you can write them on the blank page opposite page 91)

2. REVIEW OF CLASS MATERIALS
     a. review (class discussions, MBITI, coursepack) the general significance of personal names in African cultures
     b. review (class discussions, MBITI, coursepack) how African peoples articulate or demonstrate their beliefs in a Supreme God/Being
     c.  review (class discussions, MBITI, coursepack) the importance of ancestors in African cultures
     d. review the structure,, function, musical characteristics of DUDOGO, with emphasis on SPECIFIC EXAMPLES THAT REPRESENT “UNITY” (or that are part of the “common features of African musical and cultural  practices)
     e. review  THREE uses of a calabash
     f. review THE STRUCTURE, FORM, FUNCTION, and CONTENTs of a LIBATION. Pay attention to the nature of the RECITATION, SYMBOLIC FOOD ITEMS, SYMBOLIC GESTURES,, and their meanings
     g. review the TWO SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATIONS discussed: FRICTIONI DRUM among Chokwe initiation rites;  hoe blade in Akan Bragoro puberty rites
    h. review two practices or features common to the Akan and the Chokwe (Angola) clue: singing style and matrilineal system
    i. Describe FOUR EXAMPLES that show African retentions/practices (see also “common features…” and discussions of “Unity in Diversity”) in Trinidadian steel pan performance
    j. Describe THREE WAYS in which African musicians ENHANCE/INCREASE the percussive elements of their music
   k. Drawing on our class discussions and music examples, describe TWO WAYS in which African approaches to music making are illustrated in the music of Bobby McFerrin (as played and discussed in class)


MID-TERM REVIEW FOR FEB 10 ‘04
>>review the questions in first quiz
>>know at least two ethnic/indigenous names for Supreme God from two different societies
>>be able to name 3 ethnic groups from three different countries in Africa
>>know details of DUDOGO
>>be able to name 3 of the 5 categories/classes of African musical instruments
>>importance of percussion (especially how it is enhanced)
>>give an example each to illustrate SACRED and PROFANE  time
>>details about graduation ceremony as a rite of passage
>>terms additional terms such as PANTHEON, LIMINAL, REINTEGRATION, ANTHROPOMORPHISM, ORDEAL, NEOPHYTE, COWRIE, ETC

>> these terms and other general questions from essay chapter 3 of coursepack “Gods and Deputy Gods”:  (e.g., SHANGO/NGO/SANGO and general attributes, OYA, DUNDUN, BATA, ALAAFIN, OLODUMARE, Moslems participate or not; general idea about variety of music for Shango

>>describe how kingship coronation/installation rituals fit the structure and symbolism in rite of passage (To what extent can you say the examples described in class constitute a rite of passage with initiation at the core?)

ls about belief and practices regarding ancestors
>>details about libation
>>identify four objects to be brought into class according to 3 of their uses/functions


QUIZ 2 AND GENERAL REVIEW ITEMS (for weeks 5,6 etc.)

Many of the following items are based almost exclusively on our Tuesday, Feb 17 class. YOU MUST be able to accurate and detailed responses to them:
A:
1. List FOUR of the five functions of music/song in African storytelling traditions
     a.___________________________________________________________
     b.___________________________________________________________
     c.___________________________________________________________
    d.___________________________________________________________
The following are related to the essay on Music and Spirit Possession in Shona Bira
2, What is the former name of Zimbabwe?
3. The present-day Zimbabwe derived its name from _____________________
4. The language spoken by the Shona is called__________________________
5. The Shona and most of the peoples and cultures of southern portions of Africa belong to this umbrella/cluster of languages and culture known as _______________
6. Who was Cecil Rhodes?
7. Two main keyboard instrument used in this Shona example is called__________
8. The name of the pair of basket shakers is called_______________________
9. How do Shona musicians enhance the percussive dimensions of their music_________________________________________________
10. What is the musical role of the basket shakers?____________________________
11. What aspects of the music and the setting show the “communal” nature of this event?
12. Define the term ‘NGANGA”
13, What drink is commonly consumed and what is the purpose?
14. How is the main keyboard instrument used regarded? (that is, extramusical associations)
15. Summarize the nature or construction of music in this event
16. Professionals do not perform at these ceremonies   TRUE  FALSE
17. What is nature of the call-and-response heard in the storytelling examples?
B:
Describe an example of symbolic inversion, as shown in Ewe (Anlo-Ewe) exorcism ritual and music
Briefly describe how sound configures (or is used) in Ewe rituals and beliefs pertaining to twins
Why, how much and when music is involved in Ewe widowhood ritual?
According to the video, Healers of Ghana, being angry at someone for a long time and for no real just cause can cause______________
According to the same video, what knowledge is sometimes revealed to traditional healers when they are under possession?
What colors are emphasized or used in Akan funerary rites?________________
In African sculptures and artistic practices, human figures are often used and the head is often exaggerated or enlarged, in proportion to the rest of the body. Why do they emphasize the head?
Define the term IBEJI__________________________
Briefly describe what is meant by DIVINE KINGSHIP

You will be asked to write a TWO-PAGE essay (or better still, you will be asked to prepare and present a 15 min lecture) on the following:
SPECIFIC FEATURES AND THE GENERAL IMPORTANCE OF BELIEF IN LIFE AFTER DEATH IN AFRICAN SOCIETIE, drawing on specific examples (ONE PAGE). THEN, FINISH BY DESCRIBING SPECIFICALLY PRACTICES PERTAINING TO BELIEF IN ANCESTORS, AS AN EXTENSION OR FURTHER ILLUSTRATION OF BELIEF IN LIFE AFTER DEATH.  IN ALL, BE SURE TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC EXAMPLES SUCH AS:
Types and ETIOLOGY of diseases, mortuary or burial practices and beliefs—types of death such as woman dying in pregnancy, drowning,  road accident,  suicide, lame/disabled, twins/parents of twins, death of kings/queens, etc.-- cult/shrines and possession attributed to ancestors, and in daily and naming practices that indicate veneration of ancestors

In a THIRD PAGE, summarize all the beliefs, practices, and examples that pertain to ANCESTORS in the two essays, MUSIC AND SPIRIT POSSESSION AT A BIRA CEREMONY and  in THE DISEASE OF THE PROPHETS

==

 

 


PREPARATION FOR FINALS:

DATE/TIME/PLACE:   MARCH 11, 2004.  HUGHES HALL 312  9:30 AM

AREAS TO REVIEW

1. review, using class notes, including relevant pages from Mbiti and coursepack and other sources you might find useful, THE VARIOUS WAYS IN WHICH BELIEF IN ANCESTORS IN AFRICNA SOCIETIES IS ARTICULATED IN EVERYDAY LIFE, SPECIAL OCCASIONS SUCH AS HEALING, INITIATION, FUNERARY AND NAMING CEREMONIES, SYMBOLIC GESTURES and daily superstition, CUSTOMARY PRACTICES AND IN SECRET SOCIETY RITUALS. BE SURE TO DISCUSS SPECIFIC ARTIFACTS/SYMBOLS/OBJECTS (e.g., beads, Ibeji, memorial poles/stones, dress or colors, etc.) ASSOCIATED WITH ANCESTORS and LIFE AFTER DEATH.

You will be expected to write no less than ONE PAGE OF ESSAY

2. USING YEVE (Shango) as an example, DISCUSS IN DETAIL and in no less than 2 pages THE VARIOUS WAYS IN WHICH THIS SECRET RELIGIOUS SYSTEM ILLUSTRATES THE FOLLOWING:
     A:  i. Pantheon    ii. Profane time      ii.  Color symbolism              iii.  The notion of “Thunder god”  
     B:  i. crisis              ii. Various examples of SEPARATION: name/naming and consequences; diet restriction, physical identification, physical serapation during training, etc. iii. Psychological transformation  iv.  Defilement and flagellation    v. death-rebirth symholism     
vi. Reintegration*   vii. general recruitment tactics and the element of reincarnation, etc.

*Reintegration: will explain more in class today, March 9.

    C: the structure and function/role of music and musical instruments (include symbolism)

3. last chapter of coursepack: Essay by Thomasina Neely-Chandller: “Modes of Ritual Performance in African American Pentecostalism”

    i. Define the following:  a. LIMINAL  (as discussed in class, also)  b. GLOSSOLALIA
          c. COGIC        d. PNEUMATIC       e.  SYNCRETISM

   ii. List and describe briefly  AT LEAST 3 AFRICAN MUSICAL ELEMENTS OR PRACTICES THAT ARE FOUND IN COGIG WORSHIP

4. GENERAL, DRAWING ON MAINLY BIRA CEREMONY AND TUMBUKA HEALING…IN FIVE SENTENCES Explain the importance of NGANGA/NCHIMI in African societies. Begin with the ETIOLOGY of diseases, HOW ONE BECOMES A NCHIMI/NGANGA, THE ROLE OF DIVINATION AND SACRIFICE, AND BELIEF IN ANCESTORS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



FOR PREVIOUS YEARS ONLY….

>>>>REVIEW FOR FINALS...
 

TAKE-HOME EXAM (IN PLACE OF A TERM PAPER)

1. Sample Research Proposals
2. Sample Research Topics (See Appendix of Coursepack)
3. SELECTIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY..

HANDOUTS/REVIEW ITEMS/QUESTIONS
1.Review Questions up to MidTerm (see ALSO hardcopy distributed in class).


 
 
 


 
 
 
 



Review items for finals,   aaas 342  spring 2001
 

PART 1--GENERAL
1. Summarize in a paragraph (i.e., in about 5 sentences or more) the ways in which African music in closely tied to society, culture, and specific contexts
2. Just list THREE of the COMMON FEATURES of Sub-Saharan African music as outlined in the coursepack text and charts
3. similaries between African-American Pentecostal church experiences and those of indigenous African healing/ritual settings
4. Give TWO indigenous terms (i.e., from two African societies) that refer to the Supreme God  (see coursepack, intro materials and glossaries to essay)
5. Give an example that shows that traditional religion in African is innovative and adaptive
6. Draw a diagram/CHART showing the HIERARCHY OF the world of spirits/gods (e.g., nature spirits, ancestors, etc.) in Africa—you must show your own critical insight, drawing on materials covered in class and from your own understanding
7. List the THREE  STAGES often encountered in initiation rites
8. give TWO examples that illustrate the employment of sound/music as SYMBOLS OF STATUS/POWER/AUTHORITY
9. Give TWO EXAMPLES (i.e., from two different societies) that illustrate the importance ANCESTORS in African societies and as shown in musical and ritual performances
10. importance  of death as significant social, musical, ritual event
PART 2--TERMS TO IDENTIFY (MATCHING)
ANTHROPOMORPHIC, GLOSSOLALIA, JUJU, NEOPHYTE, BANTU , CAPOEIRA, TONAL LANGUAGE, INTEGRATED ART FORM, NGOMA, NGHANGA, LIBATION,  PANTHEON, KWAANZA, DAHOMEY,  MBIRA, EWE, MAKESHIFT, SYNCRETISM,,  SHANGO,   ETC

PART 3--ESSAY
READ AND BE PREPARED TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS APPENDED   (and a few new ones)TO:
Friedson, Steven. "THE DISEASE OF THE PROPHETS: MUSICAL CONSTRUCTION OF CLINICAL REALITY" from the coursepack (copy on reserve also).
 
 
 



 

SAMPLE RESEARCH PROPOSALS/ TOPICS

1. Sample Research Proposal

The Research Proposal
It is recommended that you first present a short description of your planned term paper early in the term. In this way, you can receive useful feedback to improve on the quality of the paper. The proposal should ideally include the topic and a short paragraph detailing HOW you are going to COLLECT, ORGANIZE, and ANALYZE the research information or data. As you can see from the sample topics below, the research would normally involve some aspect of fieldwork. A fieldwork may involve asking questions, either orally and/or administering a written questionnaire. Depending on your topic you may also attend a musical situation and participate in some way, as part of your strategy for gathering information for your paper. A research paper could also be based on some analysis of printed or recorded material in libraries or archives. I will give additional information on the research paper during the course of the term. However, keep in mind that the earlier you begin the paper, the better your chances of completing an acceptable research paper.

You may also, depending on the nature of your research project/paper, append a brief bibliography of relevant sources that will inform your paper. Remember DEADLINES, as specified in IMPORTANT DATES section of the syllabus.

State the topic in a clear, precise manner. Sometimes a subtitle is helpful in breaking down or clarifying down the subject further, for example:

(a) PROTEST SONGS AS A MEDIUM FOR COMMUNICATING WORKERS' GRIEVANCES DURING THE DEPRESSION: A STUDY OF FIFTEEN LYRICSOF AFRICAN-AMERICAN ORIGINS

OR:

(b) THE INFLUENCE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN SPIRITUALS AS SEEN IN CONTEMPORARY CHURCH HYMNS OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

In (a) the subtitles specify exactly the number of songs you will consider, and the period or time frame is already stated in the main title. Next, a paragraph or two will elaborates on the topic a little further, summarizing your purpose, for example:

TITLE:PROTEST SONGS AS A MEDIUM FOR COMMUNICATING WORKERS' GRIEVANCES DURING THE DEPRESSION: A STUDY OF FIFTEEN LYRICSOF AFRICAN-AMERICAN ORIGINS

SUMMARY: The aim of this project is to investigate the verbal content of fifteen protest songs selected from the Depression (ca. 1927-1933) era, with focus on how the messages of the songs reflect workers’ experiences and expectations. The selections will be limited to those identified with African-American sources. The study will examine specific performance techniques employed and performance locations, with attention to how these performance traits help impress the messages on the audiences. A basic assumption of this project is that the situation of protest is a socially significant one and that the song texts and manner of performance will be influenced in many ways by the uniqueness or social relevancy of the situation. [Or: A basic hypothesis of this project is that there is a relationship between the situation of protest and the song texts, including the manner in which they are performed, and the preference for a particular performance space]

[this section for brief discussion of specific theories relevant to your topic, followed by an overview/critique of works by other researchers that pertain to your topic--- OPTIONAL AT YOUR LEVEL]

[this section specifies the methods, techniques, and types of analysis you will employ] 

For example: Research Methods and Techniques: A sample of 15 songs (and their African -American authors and performers) will be selected from the sheet music collection at the ----Archive/Library (alternatively, you can say the songs will be selected from those found in the book published by ----on protest movements in the U.S. and/or selected audio recordings and liner notes). The songs will be selected and classed thematically under the following categories: (1)humor, (2) insult and ridicule, (3) warning, (4) hope, and (5) hardship/despair. The frequency of occurrence of the above themes within and across the songs will provide the basic criterion for the selection of the fifteen songs, and for drawing conclusions on the overall character of protest songs of the Depression. The importance of the above themes will also be confirmed through an additional investigation that is based on an oral interview with 5 survivors from the period. Finally, the textual analysis will also consider the forms of musical accompaniment employed, and the impact of group (mass) singing on the effective communication of the messages. The research techniques will, therefore, essentially involve both library/archival research, content analysis, and a fieldwork component (i.e., oral interviews with a sample population of survivors, both African-American, Caucasian, etc.).

[this final section appends a working bibliography(optional) ]

In (b):

TITLE:THE INFLUENCE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN SPIRITUALS AS SEEN IN CONTEMPORARY CHURCH HYMNS OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND THE EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

SUMMARY: I propose to study the importance of the African American spiritual in contemporary Christian music of the United Methodist Church and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, with emphasis on local congregations of Columbus. The basic premise of the study is that there is a growing interest in diversifying musical experience in the Christian Church and that the African American spiritual plays an important role in building or celebrating this diversity. A secondary goal is to understand how attitudes toward music in the Church has changed in response to shifting social, political, and theological issues.

Methods and Techniques: The research will involve both content analysis and field observation of music and hymnbooks from five congregations of each of the two denominations. The analysis will determine the number and frequency of the spirituals; the resulting statistics will be compared between the two congregations. I will conduct oral interviews with the ministers and music directors in order to determine the reasons for the inclusion of the spirituals. A small number from the general congregation will be interviewed also in order to ascertain their levels of satisfaction with the spiritual. I will visit church services in order to observe the performance of the spirituals, in order to confirm data collected through oral interviews, and to note any special occasions that motivate the performance of the spirituals. Finally, conclusions will be made on the significant differences between the frequency and levels of satisfaction with the spiritual in the two congregations. The conclusions will assess also any significant alterations or reharmonizations found in the hymnbooks.

[APPEND HERE A WORKING BIBLIOGAPHY]

other useful examples:

EXAMPLE 2
 KARAOKE AS A MUSICAL AND SOCIAL PHENOMENON:AN EXAMPLE FROM COLUMBUS

1. brief overview of the evolution of karaoke in Japan
2. how karaoke came to be popular in the U.S.
3. the importance of the social interaction in karaoke
4. specific example(s)
5. how does this example illustrate the close relationship between music and society (as we have discussed with other music cultures in class) under social:

which age group/sex/social class tends to participate in karaoke more?
How frequent? location important? What are some opinions (from your personal interviews, if any) about WHY they participate in karaoke?

What times seem to be most convenient and why?

EXAMPLE 3
MUSIC AND BELIEF SYSTEM: A STUDY OF DEBATES ON CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC

1. give brief overview of the role of music in Christian worship and how roles and views have changed over centuries
>>
give examples from the Catholic church (especially Vatican II see me for details)
>>
give examples from the Presbyterian Church of Scotland
>>
give examples of how some denominations of TODAY do not use instruments

2. What is the basic nature/trend of the arguments/issues
How are they supported by the Bible?

3. are they trying to catch up with modernization?
>>
are they trying to encourage cultural diversity?
>>
are they trying to keep with developments in our social and political systems?
>>
are they trying to target a specific age group?
4. what is the significance of music among CHARISMATIC (define) groups, such as Pentecostals?
5. what views have been expressed by theologians/scholars (e.g., Music through the Eyes of Faith; The Worshiping Church;
NB: In the intro, state that you are limiting yourself to discussion groups on the INTERNET, with supplementary materials deriving from Christian magazines.etc.

EXAMPLE 4
A STUDY OF WHITE COLLEGE STUDENTS AND RAP MUSIC: AN OPINION SURVEY
Some areas and questions to consider:
which college students, from where; age-groups, male/females; musical background--what they listen to? what record/cd/tape collections they have at home;any influence from parents on what to listen to? where is your home town/where you grew up
Who is your favorite rap artist? Are you familiar with 2 Live Crew?
do you think rap is against whites? do you think rap music is responsible for some violence in our society?
do you think rap should be banned? is there a particular form of rap you prefer?
how long have you been listening to rap? ETC.
indicate:
how many students interviewed
any special findings/male/female, location (urban, small, town, etc.)
writing the INTRO:
summarize the situation of rap today, the censorship, sampling and copyrights, recent
violence, the migration and use of rap as Christian music in certain denominations and Christian radio stations


SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY--TO BE CONTD--AAAS 342



 

USEFUL WEB/BIBLIOGRAPHY
 

·GENERAL INFORMATION ON AFRICAN SOCIETIES AND CULTURES
http://www.artsconnected.org/artsnetmn/identity/africa.html
http://www.dia.org/collections/aonwc/africanart/menwhodanceaswomen.html
http://www.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/hum211/timelines/htimeline2.htm
http://afrikaworld.net/afrel/index.html
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/aoi/resources/vpa.html

·MUSIC
http://www.coraconnection.com/
http://www.web62.com/africanmusic.html
http://www.multiculturalmedia.com/tocafr.html
http://www.tiac.net/users/smurungu/home.html
http://www.afropop.org
http://www.cnmat.berkeley.edu/~ladzekpo/Intro.html (Intro to Ewe culture and music)
http://www.dancedrummer.com/funerals.html(Music at Anlo-Ewe Funerals)
http://acadprojwww.wlu.edu/vol4/BlackmerH/public_html/xliberty/griot/oliver.html

· AFRICAN ART & AESTHETICS
1. Do Non-Western Cultures Have Words for Art? An Epistemological Prolegomenon to the Comparative Study of Philosophies of Art (Wilfried van Damme)http://aaas.ohio-state.edu/dka/aesvanda.htm
And/Or: Art by Another Name: The Identification of Art Across Cultures
http://aaas.ohio-state.edu/dka/novtz.htm (David Novitz)
2. African Art:Aesthetics and Meaning (online exhibition with essay summary on aesthetics)
http://www.lib.virginia.edu/clemons/RMC/exhib/93.ray.aa/African.html
3. African Culture and Aesthetics
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/aoi/resources/hg/aesthetics.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/explore/
http://www.temple.edu/jaac/
http://www.aesthetics-online.org/
http://www.introspecinc.com/gallery/exhibit6.htm

·RELIGION(S)
http://www.bu.edu/wcp/Papers/Reli/ReliArin.htm ("Principles for Cognizing the Sacred" general intro)
http://www.utm.edu/~jfieser/vita/research/Religion.htm (elements of religion, general)
http://www.igc.org/worldviews/awpguide/relig.html
(discusses Indigenous, Christian, Islam; good bibliography)
http://web-dubois.fas.harvard.edu/dubois/baobab/narratives/islam/islam.html (Islam and indigenous religion)
http://www.blueladder.com/education/whistafricanreligion.html (includes exx of superstitions from ethnic groups)
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/talking_point/debates/african/newsid_1715000/1715756.stm (Contemporary examples from Cameroon)
http://aaas.ohio-state.edu/dka/relishna.htm (examples from Shona [Zimbabwer]religion)
http://www.afrikaworld.net/afrel/index.html  (includes role of women, marriage, Caribbean, country stats, maps; important links)
http://www.fandm.edu/departments/Anthropology/Bastian/ANT269/man.html (magic and art in West Africa--music, Mande people)
http://www.fandm.edu/departments/Anthropology/Bastian/ANT269/magic.html (brief intro, Mande people)
http://www.fandm.edu/departments/Anthropology/Bastian/ANT269/yoru.html (Yoruba religion)
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~nurelweb/papers/fred/fred2.html (religion and sacred kingship in Uganda)
http://members.aol.com/porchfour/religion/african.htm (African religions in the Diaspora)

·RITES OF PASSAGE
http://www.balchinstitute.org/museum/rites/art.html
http://www.magellantraders.com/masks-afinitiation.html
http://www.lib.virginia.edu/clemons/RMC/exhib/93.ray.aa/African.html
Exhibitions on Rites of Passage involving masks/visual arts
http://www.mawasi.com/NCACRoP/RoP.html
Research on rites of passage in African American society
http://www.balchinstitute.org/museum/rites/akan.html Edin Toa: Akan Baby-naming Ceremony (From an interview with Akan priestess Yaa Nson Opare, conducted by Steven Zeitlin, New York City, 1992)
Funerals
http://www.balchinstitute.org/museum/rites/african.html
Case Study--JAZZ FUNERALS: African Funeral and Memorial Traditions in America
Other resources /Diaspora
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/K-12/African_Dance_19546.html
http://www.artslynx.org/dance/afro.htm
http://www.wlu.edu/~hblackme/griot/oliver.html
 

HARDCOPY SOURCES
Walker, Sheila S.
Ceremonial spirit possession in Africa and Afro-America: forms meanings, and functional
significance for individuals and social groups. Leiden, Brill, 1972.

BESMER, Fremont
Horses, Musicians and Gods: The Hausa Cult of Possession-Trance
Bergin & Garvey. South Hadley, Mass. 1983. BSL BL2480 H3B47
BESMER, Fremont
Kidan daran salla: Music for the Eve of the Muslim Festivals...Nigeria
Bloomington, IN: African Studies Program, 1974 MUS ML350 B48
TDR: Theater and Drama Review MIT Press
Advertising Manager, 28 Carleton St,
Cambridge NA 02142 617-253-2889 26/4 1982 devoted to MASKS OF all nations
Devisch, Renaat
The slit drum and the birth of divinatory utterance in the
Yaka milieu (Zaire). IN: Objects : signs of Africa / edited by Luc de
Heusch Pages 97-109. Belgium: Snoeck -Ducaju & Zoon

Ottenberg, Simon.
\The bride comes to the groom : ritual and drama in
Limba weddings. IN: Africa : prophecy and puppetry, weddings and worship, ritual
rivalry and opera / edited by Margaret Thompson Drewal Pages 42-64. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1988

Oduyoye, Mercy Amba
Women and ritual Africa. IN: The will to arise : women, tradition and the church in Africa /
edited by Mercy Amba Oduyoye and Musimbi R.A.Kanyoro Pages 9-24. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1992

Okoli,Enukora Joe,Mazi
Death in the African family: a handbook on how Africans bury their dead /
London : North London IteC Press, 1995

Onwuejeogwu, M Angulu
The cult of the bori spirits among the Hausa IN: Man in Africa / edited by Mary Douglas and Phyllis M. Kaberry Pages 279-305. Garden City, NY : Anchor Books, 1971, c1969
1971 1969 Reprint of 1969 edition published by Tavistock Publications, London

Ritual music of the Yeve , a West African god of thunder; volume
1: The Ladzekpo brothers. Brooklyn, N.Y.:Makossa International Records, 1900 1989 Recording 33 1/3 rpm, stereo.; 12 in. African dance series collection.

African ritual and initiation. Oakland, CA : Thinking Allowed Productions, 1994
1 videocassette (60 min. label. "H320"

Quarcoopome, Ebenezer Nii Otokunor
Rituals and regalia of power : art and politics among the Dangme and Ewe, 1800 to present, 1993
523 p. Thesis (Ph. D.)--UCLA , 1993.

Ibitokun, Benedict M.
Dance as ritual drama and entertainment in the Gelede of the Ketu-Yoruba subgroup in West Africa / Ile-Ife, Nigeria:Obafemi Awolowo University Press, 1998 "A study in traditional African feminism.

Jando : the rite of circumcision and initiation in East African Islam /
Lund : Plus Ultra, 1990 Lund studies in African and Asian religions, v. 5 0284-8651 ;

Mbira dza vadizmu Dambatsoko, an old cult centre, with Muchatera and Ephrat Mujuru
PLACE: University Park, PA : PUBLISHER: Pennsylvania State University, Audio-Visual Services, 1978 1 video 51 min. English narration, chanting in Shona with English subtitles.

African religions and ritual dances New York, Carousel Films, 1971 1 videocass (18 min.) : sd. col. ; 1/2 in.VHS Originally broadcast on the television program: Tell it like it was

Glaze, Anita J.
Art and death in a Senufo village. Bloomington : Indiana University Press, 1981 (reserve)

Cory, Hans.
The Ntemi ; the traditional rites in connection with the burial, election, enthronement and magic powers of a Sukuma chief. London: Macmillan, : 1951

Saunders, Nicholas.
Ecstasy : dance, trance, & transformation / by Nicholas Saunde with Rick
Doblin PUBLISH INFO Oakland, CA : Quick American Archives ; San Francisco, CA :

Goodman, Felicitas Daniels
Disturbances in the Apostolic church: case study of a trance- based upheaval in Yucatan, by
Felicitas D. Goodman. Thesis - Ohio State University, 1972 Glossolalia.Pentecostal churches--Mexico--Yucatan.

Welte, Frank Maurice
Der Gnawa-Kult : Trancespiele, Geisterbeschworung und Besessenheit in Marokko
/ Frank Maurice Welte. Frankfurt am Main ; New York : P. Lang, c1990 Europaische Hochschulschriften Reihe XIX, Volkskunde, Ethnologie Abt. B, Ethnologie ; Bd. 18. Includes bibliographical references and indexes. SUBJECTS Folklore, cults, trance -- Morocco.

Bourguignon,Erika ed.
Religion, altered states of consciousness, and social change.b Columbus, Ohio State University Press, 1973.

HENNEY, JEANNETTE HILLMAN
SPIRIT POSSESSION BELIEF AND TRANCE BEHAVIOR IN A RELIGIOUS Group IN ST. VINCENT BRITISH WEST INDIES.1968. OSU Book Depository THESIS1968PHDHJHS

Bucke (R.M.) Memorial Society.
Trance and possession states, edited by Raymond Prince. Proceedings [of the] second annual conference, R. M. Bucke Memorial Society, 4-6 March 1966, Montreal. [Montreal, R. M.

Bucke Memorial Society, c1968]
Trance, healing, and hallucination; three field studies in religious experience [by]

Felicitas D. Goodman, Jeanette H. Henney [and] Esther PresselNew York, Wiley [1974]
DESCRIPTION xxiii, 388 p. illus. 23 cm. SERIES Contemporary religious movements.

NOTES "A Wiley-Interscience publication." Each field study was originally presented as a thesis, Ohio St University.

Pressel, E.
Umbanda trance and possession in Sao Paulo, Brazil.--Goodman, F. D.

***Zaretsky, Irving I.
Bibliography on spirit possession and spirit mediumship. Comp. by Irving I.

Zaretsky Berkeley, Dept. of Anthropology, University of California
Second ed. published in 1978 under title: Spirit possession an spirit mediumship
in Africa and Afro-America.> MAIN Reference Z6879 A3 Z3

Fokwang, John Koyela
Initiation and rites of passage in the Western Grassfields
of Cameroon : the case of Bali-Nyonga IN: Rites of passage and incorporation in the western
grassfields of Cameroon / edited by Patrick Mbunwe -Samba...[et al.]. Vol. 1, pages 83-91. Bamenda, Cameroon : Kaberry Research Centre , 1993

McKissic , Stephanie C.
Zulu rites of passage ceremonies from childhood to young adult : a museum education
resource 1996: 103 leaves. Thesis (M.A.)--Howard University, 1996. Howard University.
Dept. of African Studies.

The rites of passage process for African American youth : perspectives of eight elders 1998 421 leaves, KSU dissertations (Dept. of Adult, Counseling, Health and Vocational Education) Thesis (Ph. D.)--Kent State University, 1998.

Johnson, Lou
TITLE: Christian rites of passage for African American youth :
a final document submitted to the Doctoral Studies Committee in

partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor
of Ministry /Dayton, OH :United Theological Seminary, 1997

Wall, Kathleen.
TITLE: Rites of passage : celebrating life's changes /
Hillsboro, OR : Beyond Words, 1998

Eckert, Carol A.
\TITLE: Feminist rites of passage : Judy Chicago's Fresno project and
Womanhouse / 145pp. Thesis (M.A. in Art History)--Vanderbilt University, 1996.

Alford, Keith Anthony, 1961-
A qualitative study of an africentric rites of passage program used with adolescent African American males in out-of-home care : looking for unexpected themes /
\Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 1997

Guernsey, Jonnie
Rites of Passage : the journey of white initiates, 1997
FORMAT: vi, 57 leaves ; 29 cm.

NOTES: Thesis (M.S. in Cultural Foundations of Education)--University of
Wisconsin--Milwaukee, 1997.

Goggins , Lathardus , II.
TITLE: African centered rites of passage and education /
Chicago, Ill. : African American Images, 1996

Rasing, Thera
Passing on the rites of passage :
girls' initiation rites in the context of an urban Roman Catholic
community on the Zambian Copperbelt [Aldershot, England] :

Avebury , 1995
Sacred fire : rites of passage and rituals of worship with angelic guidance / Berkeley, Calif. : Celestial Arts, 1995

Rinehart, Martha Susan.
Modern rites of Passage Ann Arbor (Mich.) :
UMI , 1994Reprod en fac. sim
de : Th. (Ph. D.) : Philos. : University of Pennsylvania : 1991.__

Rites of passage in America : traditions of the life cycle / Philadelphia :Balch
Institute for Ethnic Studies, 1992

Fink, Helga.
Religion, disease, and healing in Ghana : a case study of traditional
Dormaa medicine. Munchen : Trickster Wissenschaft, 1990

Karpinski , Gloria D.
Where two worlds touch : spiritual rites of passage / New York : Ballantine
Books, 1990

Lewis, Mary C. Herstory
Black female rites of passage: 1st ed. Chicago, Ill. : African American Images, 1988

Rites of passage initiations to adulthood.[United States] : Sunburst Communications [distributor],
YEAR: 1974: Audiovisual 2 filmstrips (160 fr.) : col. ; 35 mm. + 2 cassettes (24
min.) + 1 teacher's guide__

Bailey, John R.
Worship, ceremonial and rites of passage: Huddersfield : Schofield
& Sims, 1986

Leemon, Thomas A.
The rites of passage in a student culture; a study of the dynamics of transition
New York: Teachers College Press, Columbia University 1972

Mbiti , John S.
African religions & philosophy 2nd rev. and enl. ed.xford ; Portsmouth, N.H. :
Heinemann, 1990.

Religion in a pluralistic society : essays presented to ProfessorC. G.
Baeta in celebration of his retirement from the service of the University of Ghana, September, 1971, / by friends and colleagues scattered over the globe; edited by J. S.Pobee Leiden : Brill, 1976..

Gaba , Christian R.
Scriptures of an African people. Ritual utterances of the
Anlo Transl. ed and with an introduction by Christian R.
Gaba New York, NOK [1973]

Pobee , J S.
African initiatives in Christianity : the growth, gifts and diversities of indigenous African
Churches - a challenge to the ecumenical movement / Joseph S.

Pobee and Gabriel Ositelu II forward by Walter
Hollenweger Geneva : WCC Publications, c199

Kamali, S. A. Religion in a pluralistic society.--Thomas, J. C.
Uses and truth.--

Gensichen , D. H.-W. World community and world
\religions.--

Mbiti , J. S. God, dreams and African militancy.--

Parrinder , E. G. Mysticism in African religion.--

Kudadjie , J.

N. Does religion determine morality in African societies?-

-King, N. Q. and D. J. F. Towards an African Strack

-

Billerbeck ?--

Sawyerr , H. Traditions in transit.--

Steemers , J.C. Culture embarrassment and religious fear.--Warren, M. A. C.
Political realities and the Christian mission.--

Pobee , J. S.
Church and State in Ghana, 1949-1966.--

Ashanin , C. B. The black
heroes of the Philadelphia plague in 1793.--

Nickles , A. A
religion in a pluralist society.--

Dickson , K. A. The minister-- then and now.--Walls, A. F. Towards understanding Africa's
place in Christian history.--

Oduyoye , M. The Church in youth education--years ago or years to come.--

Braimah , B. A. R.
Islamic education in Ghana.--Blake, E. C. In one boat
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Gennep , Arnold van, 1873-1957.

TITLE Rites de passage. English.

TITLE The rites of passage / ; translated by

Monika B. Vizedom and Gabrielle L.

Caffee\ ; introd by Solon T. Kimball.

PUBLISH INFO Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 1960.

Eliade, Mircea, 1907-

TITLE The myth of the eternal return; translated from the French by

Willard R. Trask.

PUBLISH INFO [New York] Pantheon Books [c1954]

DESCRIPTION 195 p. 25 cm.

SUBJECTS Cosmology.

MAIN Stacks BD701 .E41 c.2 AVAILABLE

Eliade, Mircea, 1907-

TITLE The sacred and the profane : the nature of religion. Translated

from the French by Willard R. Trask.

PUBLISH INFO New York : Harper & Row, [1961,c1959]

Rouget, Gilbert.

UNIF TITLE Musique et la transe. English.

TITLE Music and trance : a theory of the relations between music and

possession / Gilbert Rouget ; translation from the French

revised by Brunhilde Biebuyck in collaboration with the author.

PUBLISH INFO Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 1985.

DESCRIPTION xix, 395 p. ; 24 cm.

NOTES Translation of: La musique et la transe.

1 > MUS Stacks ML3920 .R681 1985 DUE 04-23-99

Welte, Frank Maurice, 1954-

TITLE Der Gnawa-Kult : Trancespiele, Geisterbeschworung und

Besessenheit in Marokko / Frank Maurice Welte.

PUBLISH INFO Frankfurt am Main ; New York : P. Lang, c1990.

DESCRIPTION 379 p. ; 23 cm.

SERIES Europaische Hochschulschriften. Reihe XIX, Volkskunde,

Ethnologie. Abt. B, Ethnologie ; Bd. 18.

NOTES Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

SUBJECTS Folklore -- Morocco.

Cults -- Morocco.

Trance.

Spirit possession.

LOCATION CALL NO. YEAR STATUS

1 > MAIN Stacks GR353.32.G63 W45 199 AVAILABLE

+-----------------------------------------------

Chlyeh, Abdelhafid.

TITLE Les gnaoua du Maroc : itineraires initiatiques, transe et

possession / Abdelhafid Chlyeh.

PUBLISH INFO [Morocco] : Editions La Pensee sauvage, c1998.

DESCRIPTION 158 p. : col. ill., maps ; 21 cm.

PLACE NAME Morocco Casablanca.

NOTES Includes bibliographical references (p. [145]-158)

SUBJECTS Gnawa (Brotherhood)

Folklore -- Morocco.

Cults -- Morocco.

Trance.

LOCATION CALL NO. YEAR STATUS

1 > MAIN Stacks GR353.3 C45 1998 1998 IN PROCESS
 
 

Religion in Africa : experience & expression / edited by Thoma

D. Blakely, Walter E.A. van Beek, Dennis L. Thomson with the

assistance of Linda Hunter Adams, Merrill E. Oates.

PUBLISH INFO London : J. Currey ; Portsmouth, N.H. : Heinemann, 1994.

DESCRIPT'N xvi, 512 p. : ill., maps ; 24 cm.

SERIES Monograph series of the David M. Kennedy Center for Internatio

Studies at Brigham Young University ; v. 4.

NOTE Includes bibliographical references (p. 443-483) and index.

CONTENTS Translatability in Islam & in Christianity in Africa : a thema

approach / Lamin Sanneh -- Beginnings & encounters : Islam i

East African contexts / Azim Nanji -- Cultural change & religious conversion in

West Africa / Jon P. Kirby -- Christ

African folk theology : the Nganga paradigm / Matthew

Schoffeleers -- African religion & Mormon doctrine :

comparisons & commonalities / Dennis L. Thomson -- Ifa : a W

African cosmological system / Wande Abimbola -- The promise

greatness : women & power in an Edo spirit possession cult /

Paula Grishick Ben-Amos -- Candomble : a socio-political

examination of African religion & art in Brazil / Mikelle Sm

Omari -- Drums of affliction : real phenomenon or scholarly

chimera? / John M. Janzen -- Archaeological & other prehisto

evidence of traditional African religious expression / Pierr

de Maret.

The innocent sorcerer : coping with evil in two African societ

(Kapsiki & Dogon) / Walter E. A. van Beek -- Myth & epic in

Central Africa / Luc de Heusch -- Kimbanguism & the question

syncretism in Zaire / Wyatt MacGaffey -- Jamaa : a charismat

movement revisited / Johannes Fabian -- Protestant missions

Africa : the dialectic of conversion in the American Methodi

Episcopal church in Eastern Zimbabwe, 1900-1950 / Terrence O

Ranger -- Prophetism, democharisma, & social change / Asmaro

Legesse -- Gola womanhood & the limits of masculine omnipote

/ Warren L. d'Azevedo -- Male & female secret societies amon

the Bafodea Limba of Northern Sierra Leone / Simon Ottenberg

Bringing the extraordinary into the ordinary : music

performance among the Kpelle of Liberia / Ruth M. Stone --

Ancestore, "withchcraft", & foregrounding the poetic : men's

oratory & women's song-dance in Hemba Funerary performance /

Pamela A. R. Blakely, Thomas D. Blakely.
 
 

Africa [sound recording] : witchcraft & ritual music.

PUBLISH INFO Los Angeles, Calif. : Nonesuch, p1975.

DESCRIPTION 1 sound disc : analog, 33 1/3 rpm, stereo. ; 12 in.

SERIES Explorer series.

NOTES Folk songs and dances.

"Recorded in Kenya and Tanzania by David Fanshawe."

Program notes by Fanshawe on container.

CONTENTS Ngoma ra mrongo (Kenya) (4:50) -- Mwari initiation (Kenya) (1:

-- Coconut pickers song (Kenya) (3:05) -- Matondoni wedding

(Kenya) (2:07) -- Marimba (Tanzania) (3:07) -- Tuken moral

songs (Kenya) (6:10) -- Giriama spirit dance (Kenya) (2:18)

Kayamba dance: Giriama wedding (Kenya) (4:35) -- Alto bung'o

lqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq

x LOCATION CALL NO. YEAR STATUS

x1 > MUS AV Desk: LPs LP13550 USE IN LIBRARY

mqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq Ngoma ra mrongo (Kenya) (4:50) --

Mwari initiation (Kenya) (1:

-- Coconut pickers song (Kenya) (3:05) -- Matondoni wedding

(Kenya) (2:07) -- Marimba (Tanzania) (3:07) -- Tuken moral

songs (Kenya) (6:10) -- Giriama spirit dance (Kenya) (2:18)

Kayamba dance: Giriama wedding (Kenya) (4:35) -- Alto bung'o

horn (Kenya) (0:42) -- Akamba witch doctor (Kenya) (4:07) --

Pokot witch doctor (Kenya) (3:03) -- Pokot dance (Kenya) (1:

-- Song of dawn (Kenya) (1:43) -- Lukuji (Kenya) (2:57) --

Nyatiti (Kenya) (3:06) -- Funeral dance (Kenya) (2:32)

The spirit's dance in Africa : evolution, transformation and

continuity in Sub-Sahara / edited by Esther A. Dagan;

introduction by Simon Ottenberg,

PUBLISH INFO Westmount, QC, Canada : Galerie Amrad African Arts Publication

c1997

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x LOCATION CALL NO. YEAR STATUS

x1 > BSL Stacks GV1588.6 .S57 1997
 
 

Drums of West Africa [sound recording] : ritual music of Ghana

PUBLISH INFO New York, N.Y. : Lyrichord, [n.d.]

DESCRIPTION 1 sound disc : analog, 33 1/3 rpm, stereo. ; 12 in.

NOTES Recording and notes by Richard Hill.

Performed on instruments of the traditional Ewe drum orchestra

atsimevu, sogo, kidi, kloboto, kagan, gankogui, and axatse.

SUBJECTS Music -- Ghana.

Musical instruments -- Ghana.

lqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq

x LOCATION CALL NO. YEAR STATUS

x1 > MUS AV Desk: LPs LP13632
 
 

Drewal, Margaret Thompson

TITLE: Ritual performance in Africa today

SOURCE: T D R: A journal of performance studies vol. 32, no. 2,

summer 1988, p. 25-30. ISSN: 0012-5962.

SPEC FEATURE: Illus., bibliog.

Jacobs, Claude F. (Claude Francis), 1943-

TITLE The Spiritual churches of New Orleans : origins, beliefs, and

rituals of an African-American religion / Claude F. Jacobs and

Andrew J. Kaslow.

EDITION 1st ed.

PUBLISH INFO Knoxville : University of Tennessee Press, c1991

Johnston, Thomas Frederick

TITLE: The secret music of nhanga rites

SOURCE: Anthropos vol. 77, no. 5-6, 1982, p. 754-774. ISSN: 0257-

9774.

DOC TYPE: ap -- Article in a periodical

CLASS: Ethnomusicology (including history of music other than

Western): Africa

: The fertility rite known as nhanga prepares girls for

womanhoo

Bourguignon, Erika, 1924-

Religion, altered states of consciousness, and social change.

Edited by Erika Bourguignon. Columbus, Ohio State University Press, 1973.

MUS Stacks BL53 .B725 AVAILABLE

MAIN Stacks BL53 .B725 c.2 AVAILABLE
 
 

HENNEY, JEANNETTE HILLMAN.

TITLE SPIRIT POSSESSION BELIEF AND TRANCE BEHAVIOR IN A

RELIGIOUS GR IN ST. VINCENT BRITISH WEST INDIES. 1968.OSU Book Depository

THESIS1968PHDHJHS USE IN LIBRARY
 
 

Bucke (R.M.) Memorial Society.

Trance and possession states, edited by Raymond Prince. Proceedings [of the] second annual

conference, R. M. Bucke Memorial Society, 4-6 March 1966, Montreal. Montreal, R. M.

Bucke Memorial Society, c1968] MAIN Stacks BF1321 .B8 c.3

Trance, healing, and hallucination; three field studies inreligious experience [by] Felicitas

D. Goodman, Jeanette H. Henney [and] Esther Pressel.

New York, Wiley 1974, 388 p. Contemporary religious movements. A Wiley-Interscience

publication." Each field study was originally presented as a thesis, Ohio St University.

CONTENTS Henney, J. H. Spirit-possession belief and trance behavior in fundamentalist

groups in St. Vincent.--Pressel, E. Umbanda trance and possession in Sao Paulo,

Brazil.--Goodman, F. D. EHS Stacks BV5090 .T7

AUTHOR Zaretsky, Irving I.

Bibliography on spirit possession and spirit mediumship. Compiby Irving I. Zaretsky.

Berkeley, Dept. of Anthropology, University of California 106 p Second ed. published in

1978 under title: Spirit possession an spirit mediumship in Africa and Afro-America.

MAIN Reference Z6879.A3 Z3
 
 

KILSON, Marion

TITLE: Kpele lala: Ga religious songs and symbols.

SOURCE: (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard U., 1971) 313 p. $7.50.

The texts of more than 240 of the traditional songs (lala) o

kpele ritual derive from the re

Jules-Rosette, Bennetta

1975b "Song and Spirit: the Use of Song in the Management of Ritual Settings."

Africa 45/2.

1975b "Song and Spirit: the Use of Song in the Management of Ritual Settings."

Africa 45/2.

Friedson , Steven. Dancing Prophets: Musical Experience in

Tumbuka Healing. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996

Mbiti , John. Introduction to African Religion. Oxford:

Heinemann , 1991. 2nd rev .ed.

Nketia ,J.H.Kwabena

"African Gods and Music." (mimeograph,

n.d.)

Pauw , Berthold. Christianity and Xhosa Tradition: Belief and Ritual among Xhosa

-Speaking Christians. Cape Town; New York: Oxford University Press, 1975

Ray, Benjamin. African Religions: Symbol, Ritual, and Community. Englewood Cliffs,

N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1976

Ruel , Malcolm. Belief, Ritual and the Securing of Life: Reflexive Essays on a Bantu

Religion. Leiden; New York:

E.J. Brill, 1997

Turner, Victor Witter

The Drums of Affliction: A Study of Religious Processes among

Ndembu of Zambia. Oxford: International African Institute, 1968

Velez, Maria Teresa, 1952-

TITLE Drumming for the gods : the life and times of Felipe Garcia

Villamil, santero, palero, and abakua / by Maria Teresa Velez.

PUBLISH INFO Philadelphia : Temple University Press, 2000


WHAT DO YOU KNOW!--quiz review items

[1] Draw diagram/chart that show the  hierarchy/type or variety in the world of spirits in Africa

[2] Write down the classic THREE stages often associated with initiation ritual

[3] Give TWO examples that show the importance of "ancestors" in the African world view

[4] Give an example that shows relationships between personal names and social expectation, belief, or attitude

IDENTIFY THE FOLLOWING TERMS (one sentence, each)
a. divination

b. cowrie

c. kwaanza

d. Rites of Passage

e. liminal/subliminal

f. pantheon

g. Yoruba

h. Ewe

i. anthropomorphic

j.  Dahomey

k. voodoo

l. jùjú

m. tonal language

n. libation

o. animism
 
 
 

MUSIC

p. time-line
q. overlapping call-and-response
r. give two contexts/occasions that are often accompanied by music and dance
s. list the FOUR COMPOMENTS OF "MUSIC"
t. African musical instruments can divided into 5 categories: List three of this categories
u. Describe one way in which religion, belief, or ideas about the supernatural are articulated in musical performances
v.  In African drum ensembles (especially in West and Central African traditions) the drums areusually  grouped along [a]  2   [b]  3    [c]  4   [d] 5       basic layers of sound type
w.  In this type of rhythm a feeling of 2 beats goes simultaneously with a feeling of 3 beats:
   [a] unison    [b] crochet   [c] polyrhythm    [d] cross rhythm

x. Descrine one other context apart from normal music making in which Call-and-Response is often involved

y. Give an example that show the symbolic usage of musical instruments

z. Give TWO types of sound that are used symbolically among the Ewe during exorcism rituals

A.  List FOUR of the common areas/features found in African music

IDENTIFY GIVEN OBJECTS  (4 items)
B.  List TWO functions (i.e., specific aesthetic, symbolic or musical) of the following objects                 i.  cowrie       ii. calabash          iii. Fly-switch

B. Identify the CATEGORY of the following musical instruments (show picture):

C. List TWO NON-MUSICAL CHARACTERISTICS that are common Sub-Saharan African peoples

D. Give the name of the American stringed instrument that has its ancestry African stringed instruments

TAKE-HOME EXAM (IN PLACE OF A TERM PAPER)

NB: This is a take-home exam in place of the original term paper. You are expected to spend up to a week completing this exam—OFFICIALLY DISTRIBUTED ON MONDAY, MAY 12and IS DUE, WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS/EXCUSE ON MONDAY, MAY 19.

Online version of this is accessible at my homepage (see syllabus): http://aaas.ohio-state.edu/dka

Read the essay, chapter 7 of coursepack, pp. 107-137: Friedson, Steven

"The Disease of the Prophets: Musical Construction of Clinical Reality"

AND RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AS COMPLETELY, PRECISELY AS POSSIBLE:[First review the glossary provided in the review questions appended to the essay, P.137]

A: 

Briefly (one sentence) define/identify the following terms:

1. Tumbuka__________________________________________________________________________

2.Mboni____________________________________________________________________________

3.Vimbuza__________________________________________________________________________________

4. Chikanje_________________________________________________________________________________

5.Nchimi_____________________________________________________________________________________

6.Muzungu___________________________________________________________________________________

7.Mulungu____________________________________________________________________________________

8.Mizimi_____________________________________________________________________________________

9.Divination___________________________________________________________________________________

10. Syncretism___________________________________________________________________________________

11. Etiology____________________________________________________________________________________

12. Kwaya______________________________________________________________________________________

13. Thempli____________________________________________________________________________________

14. Bango_____________________________________________________________________________________

15. Kalimba___________________________________________________________________________________

B:

1. Name three occasions or events that are accompanied my music and dance in this society

I______________________II.______________________III_________________

2. Name the one most frequent musical event (i.e., event that is accompanied by music) in this society_______

3. Give at least one example from this essay that confirms what we have learned in class about the importance of ancestors African daily life, belief, etc.

4. What is the significance of a “fly whisk”, as described in this essay?

5. How does a chikanje "heat" his vimbuza?

6. Summarize, in one sentence, the role or importance of dreams in this people’s belief/ritual

7. What day is set apart for patients to dance?

8. What are some common themes of hymns sung in these healing sessions?

9. What relationships exist between ways particular rhythmic and dance modesand particular spirits? 

10. Explain in your own words the expression, “ebb and flow

11. List two items/(objects and living things) that are used in a sacrifice, according to the essay

12. Describe here the skills that an nchimi must have

13. List 2 examples of Christian influences in Tumbuka healingI___________II_________

14. Drummers who play for healing sessions are full-time professions and are paid accordingly:TRUEFALSE

15. Drummers/musicians for healing-trance sessions are themselves often possessed:       TRUEFALSE




SENIOR FINALS REVIEW—AAAS 342  SPRING 2003

importance of ANCESTORS in:
a. religious and ritual practices   b. daily life and general superstition    (specific examples are needed, beginning with the belief that the ancestors coexist with the living, that they cause illness if disrespected at will or by accident, reincarnation practices, royal stools/symbols and kings as links to ancestors, belief in spirits of ancestors that can possess the living, etc….REVISE NOTES, COURSEPACK, MBITI)

write a one-page essay in which you describe or illustrate the universal validity of the classic three stages/states in a rite of passage: SEPARATION-TRANSITION-REINTEGRATION.  Your examples SHOULD include the following ones discussed in class:  1. GRADUATION CEREMONY   2. KINGSHIP/INSTALLATION CEREMONY   3. ANY  FUNERARY  OR FRATERNITY/SORORITY RITUALS  4.  YEVE-SHANGO RITUAL

Again, you must be specific; marks will be deducted for being vague, unclear, or incomplete information
 

Write a paragraph in which you describe in detail, the STRUCTURE, CONTENT, AND FUNCTION OF LIBATION. You must absolutely address the THREE areas, with specific examples (CONTENT = what items are used?), including SYMBOLIC GESTURES.
 

TERMS TO IDENTIFY
 Juju, Yoruba, Matrilineal, pantheon, tonal language, vodou (voodoo),  Santería, Dahomey, neophyte, animism, flagillant, threshold/liminal, Ewe, anthropomorphic, kalimba/mbira, poro/sande,  the most frequent/important colors used in ritual

>>Briefly describe 3 types of ordinary/unusual/ or musical sounds that are used symbolically in ceremonial or ritual context (at least one of the examples MUST COME FROM AMONG THE ANLO-EWE –see essay on “DEE HOO!”

>>Describe one example in which a musical instrument (NOT THE SOUND) is used symbolically in an African ritual or belief (one sentence, but specific)

>>Describe 3 uses (i.e., SPECIFIC musical, ordinary, and ritual-symbolic use) of a flywhisk, cowrie, calabash  NO MARKS WILL BE GIVEN IF NO SPECIFIC EXAMPLE IS GIVEN
 

GIVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM THE DISCUSSION OF YEVE-SHANGO CULT THAT ILLUSTRATE:

>> 2 SPECIFIC WAYS IN WHICH MEMBERS ARE IDENTIFIED/SET APART FROM THE REST OF THE GENERAL SOCIETY PERMANENTLY.

>>3 SPECIFIC EXAMPLES THAT MARK/SHOW INITIAL SEPARATION FOR A NEW MEMBER

>>1 (ONE) EXAMPLE THAT MARKS THE STAGE OF TRANSITION

>>1 EXAMPLE THAT MARKS THE STAGE OF REINTEGRATION

>> 2 EXAMPLES THAT SHOW HOW MUSIC AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ARE USED TO IDENTIFY YEVE/SHANGO AND/OR SPECIFIC STAGE OR TYPE OF RITUAL IN YEVE/SHANGO

FORMAT:  See midterm examples--A few TRUE/FALSE items, matching terms, short responses, short essays (see above)