ABSTRACT

Congregational music and verbal utterances are germane to the liturgical practices of World Christianity. However, methodologies that give primacy to the visual are privileged. This essay argues for an emphasis on sound, recognizing that while both the visual and the aural are critical elements in the communication exchange, this emphasis can reveal data unavailable elsewhere and uncover a cauldron of ambiguities and contradictions. Using Nattiez’s analytical framework of music discourse and data from an African mega church in the UK, congregational singing and chanted confessions are analyzed. The findings reveal struggle and adaptation highlighting both resistance and assimilation in the sonic field. The article concludes that paying attention to sonic representations in congregations is a fruitful site of inquiry for World Christianity.

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