A Sound Ethnography

Bibliographic Data

ID21837231
AuthorsPauline Muir (Goldsmiths University of London, corresponding author), Pauline Elaine Muir (Goldsmiths’ College, University of London, UK)
Year2021
Volume11
Issue2
Pages245-261
Publication date2021-08-05
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of World Christianity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1943-1538 • E-ISSN: 2377-8784
PublisherThe Pennsylvania State University Press (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.5325/jworlchri.11.2.0245
OpenAlexW3008868661
LanguageEN
References cited17

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

Acoustics · Aesthetics · Christianity · Epistemology · Ethnography · Linguistics · Singing · Sociology · Anthropology · Christian Theology and Mission · Diverse Musicological Studies · History · Pentecostalism and Christianity Studies · Philosophy · Religious studies

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