Abstract:
One of the biggest attractions of the Pentecostal
movement is its liturgy, which is partly expressed through
music and dance. The growth of the . popularity of
Pentecostal music in Africa has been phenomenal. Its
impact on the general music scene and the society in
general is seen in the number of high profile secular or
"juju" musicians who have become gospel singers,
evangelists and pastors. It has also affected politicians and
the celebrants of rites of passage who borrow freely iom
gospel music and dance. Focusing on this aspect of the
movement, this article explores how Pentecostal music and
dance traditions have attempted to supplant the "disco"
music and dance of discotheques. It traces how the new
musical tradition or gospel music originated and
developed and how the Pentecostals who were initially
wary of popular cultures negotiated between sacred and
popular music and dance.
