Roman Catholic liturgical music in urban Kenya: Processes of inculturation at St. Veronica parish Syokimau, Nairobi

Mulwa, Kennedy

Roman Catholic liturgical music in urban Kenya: Processes of inculturation at St. Veronica parish Syokimau, Nairobi

Master Thesis

2021

Abstract

The Roman Catholic Church has formally allowed and encouraged different congregations throughout the world to practise liturgy in a manner that incorporates and gives meaning to their cultural expressions. One of the aspects of liturgy that has undergone inculturation is liturgical music. Among the metropolitan and cosmopolitan congregations in urban areas however, cultural expressions are much more diverse than among the more homogenous congregations in rural areas. This dissertation explores ways in which inculturation of liturgical music is practised in urban areas in Kenya. The questions of whether and how urban congregations find cultural meaning in a culturally diverse setting are explored through a number of theoretical discussions. St. Veronica Catholic Parish Syokimau is the case study. Through ethnographic fieldwork, I study the relationship between the choir and the congregation of St. Veronica parish. I study how different aspects of this relationship interweave to provide a platform for inculturation of liturgical music in a way adapted to the unique urban characteristics of the parish. A historical context is provided as well as an overview of the development of liturgical music in the country. The incorporation of aspects of inculturation into that music is then explained, thereby laying the framework and background for the case study. The findings from the ethnographic fieldwork, which entailed participant observation and interviewee perspectives, are spread across three chapters. Firstly, inculturation is discussed in terms of repertoire. Here I lay out repertoire in terms of its nature and sources, and how they factor into the discussion on inculturation at the parish. Secondly, I look at instrumentation and accompaniment, similarly laying out their importance in a discussion on inculturation. An account of soundscape is presented in this section and its significance to inculturation is also elucidated. Lastly, the discussion focuses on the role of the congregation as conduit, catalyst and factor in the inculturation of liturgical music. In various ways, the congregation is seen as an active player in the inculturation of liturgical music at the parish, and therefore a worthwhile subject of special consideration in this research. The conclusion summarises the overall discussions and arguments of the dissertation and makes recommendations for further studies.

Keywords

Music

Reference:

Collections

Masters

Full item page