Performing Faith: Christian Music, Identity and Inculturation in Indonesia (SOAS Studies in Music)

Description

This book is a study of music inculturation in Indonesia. It shows how religious expression can be made relevant in an indigenous context and how grassroots Christianity is being realized by means of music. Through the discussion of indigenous expressions of Christianity, the book presents multiple ways in which Indonesians reiterate their identity through music by creatively forging Christian and indigenous elements. This study moves beyond the discussion (and charge) of syncretism, showing that the inclusion of local cultural manifestations is an answer to creating a truly indigenous Christian expression. Marzanna Poplawska, while telling the story of Indonesian Christians and the multiple ways in which they live Christianity through music, emphasizes the creative energy and agency of local people. In their practices she finds optimism for the continuing existence of many traditional genres and styles. Indonesian Christians perform their Christian faith through music, dance, and theater, generating innovative cultural products that enrich the global Christian heritage. The book is addressed to a broad spectrum of readers: scholars from a variety of disciplines – music, religion, anthropology, especially those interested in interactions between Christianity and indigenous cultures; general music lovers and World Music enthusiasts eager to discover musics outside of European realm; as well as Christian believers, church musicians, and choir directors curious to learn about Christian music beyond Euro-American context. Students of religion, sacred music, (ethno)musicology, theater, and dance will also benefit from learning about a variety of indigenous arts employed in Christian churches in Indonesia. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of Illustrations Technical notes Preface Acknowledgments List of abbreviations Introduction Terminology The phenomenon of inculturation Contextualization: the Protestant counterpart of inculturation Inculturation in the eyes of Indonesians Chapter 1 Setting the scene: Christianity and European influence in Indonesia History of the Church in Indonesia—from mission Church to indigenous Church First attempts at indigenous Christianity Bible translations Christian songbooks Christianity, politics, and the state European Christian influence and inculturated music genres (historical account) Elements of western Christian musical influence in gamelan music Local and analytical music terminology Part I Java Chapter 2 Institutions and inculturation Pusat Musik Liturgi—PML (the Center for Liturgical Music) Lokakarya or composition workshops and their role Music produced at PML: types of songs, musical style PML goals Publications: MB and other sources Vocalista Sonora and the choir phenomenon Other institutions Duta Wacana Christian University Media and their role in inculturation—Radio Immanuel Surakarta Chapter 3 Gamelan music in the church Part I: Langen Sekar and the Protestant Church Bapak Darsono Wignyosaputro (1927–2003) Bapak Sigit Astono (born 1958) Bapak R. B. Soewarno Bapak Rahayu Supanggah (born 1949) and Bapak Martopangrawit (1914–1986) Langen Sekar in GKI: Paguyuban Langen Sekar Mudi Rahayu Part II: Gamelan and the Catholic Church Case study I: Christmas mass Case Study II: Bapak Agustinus Surono and his compositions Other forms and genres: lesung, macapat, salawatan, Christian pop Lesung—Bapak Is Sri and his artistic vision Other forms Chapter 4 Christian dramatic forms Shadow theater Wayang wahyu Performance practice Puppets and stories Musical accompaniment “Berita Keselamatan” Other forms of Christian theater Dance and analogous forms The future of Christian theater forms Part II Flores Chapter 5 The cultural context of Christianity General issues Missionaries’ attitudes past and present Inculturation and Florenese culture Chapter 6 PML on Flores The role of PML on Flores Lokakarya—its function, format, and method Madah Bakti (MB)—songs from Flores Possibility of national style and repertoire Chapter 7 Creating inculturational music and performance Form, text, and melody Arrangements Composition at work—composers of inculturational songs Priests Musicians with western music background Traditional musicians Use of traditional instruments in the church Adaptation of traditional rituals Case Study: Mata Golo ritual Traditional dance and its role in the church Spiritual pop music Conclusion Java and Flores: a comparison of similarities and differences Multileveled identity Music and identity Concluding remarks Appendix A: Key individuals Appendix B: Liturgy and music notation examples Appendix C: Glossary Bibliography Index