In many African countries and communities dance is well understood as a sacred form of communication. Outside of the Native Americans and indigenous communities - in the United States dance is understood as a secular form of entertainment. People do not have a unified understanding. This is one way the US can be seen as leaning toward being multi-ethnic than multi-cultural.I think the main thing at issue with regard to the United States is: 1) Do cultural liturgical practices immigrate along with their peoples? 2) With integrated parishes that celebrate with certain liturgical practices (i.e. Liturgical “Dance”)*, can members, not of the same ethnic origin, participate in the same form of bodily expression (i.e. Liturgical “Dance”)?
The key here is the fact that there is no major church document addressing this issue. Cardinal Arinze says so in the video. He then relates his opinion on the matter. The parish in the Midwest I belong to that uses liturgical dance, is largely an African American parish. They certainly have had a unique experience in America and much of the dance is cultural. It’s a beautiful mass. There is a parish in Chicago (St. Sabina) I believe that’s the name of it, they by the way have a great priest who does much work in the trenches for social justice, I’ve heard they have a beautiful mass with liturgical dancing.
In the tribal religious, yes. But the Africans do not consider those shuffling movements that I showed in my video to be dancing. No more so that we would consider the movements of a conductor in front of an orchestra or a fiddler tapping his foot to be dancing.In many African countries and communities dance is well understood as a sacred form of communication…
The African-American Catholic Community is definitely unique then.In many African countries and communities dance is well understood as a sacred form of communication. Outside of the Native Americans and indigenous communities - in the United States dance is understood as a secular form of entertainment. People do not have a unified understanding. This is one way the US can be seen as leaning toward being multi-ethnic than multi-cultural.
That, in African terms, as I mentioned above, is not dancing.The African-American Catholic Community is definitely unique then.
youtube.com/watch?v=8XdzcFrgZHs
Specific dance does seem to exist in Africa in some of the Nigerian Igbo communities or some liturgical dancing in Uganda. I have heard some elements of dance may exist in some Ethiopian communities?That is why, even in Africa, there is no cultural history of dance at Mass. The choir will sway, the choir will clap, the choir will shuffle their feet. But they don’t dance.
Among some peoples, song is instinctively linked with hand-clapping, rhythmic corporeal movements and even dance. Such are external forms of interior sentiment and are part of popular traditions, especially on occasions such as patronal feasts. Clearly, such should be genuine expressions of communal prayer and not merely theatrical spectacles. The fact of their prevalence in one area, however, should not be regarded as a reason for their promotion in other areas, especially where they would not be spontaneous.
Even outside of the African continent, This document notes the careful inculturation of some of the cultures of Oceania can include dancing of which can, “incorporate elements of a particular culture into Her liturgy, devotional practices, catechesis and sacred art”DIRECTORY ON POPULAR PIETY AND THE LITURGY
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html
Of course, with all due respect, that’s your opinion.Maybe they should have concession stands too. Hot dogs and beer. And a laser light show.
Look, if you want to do these things outside of Mass in the parish hall, more power to you. How can I help? But Mass has a purpose and it isn’t to entertain. Have lively music and fiery homilies but I can’t see how people running around with ribbons adds anything of value to the Mass.
Johnmann, I really don’t believe as you write: “they serve no other purpose other than entertainment” You really don’t believe that do you? That’s simply their unique way celebrating the Mass which is cultural tradition. There’s nothing wrong with that. The African American style of worship is very moving and deep. It’s sustained them through a very rough history in our country, something that many will never understand. There is nothing wrong that that. By the way, I watched the St. Sabina celebration on the link you shared. I only wished some of the parishes I’ve belonged to in the past would celebrate the good news like they do. The pastor at St. Sabina’s is a good man and very outspoken about issues of injustice, gang and gun violence, racism, and other ills that plague our society. He is very well known in Chicago.ccmcmg, I don’t think we’re talking about the same thing. I’m familiar with St. Sabina and they put on shows during Mass. If you were so filled with the Holy Spirit that you started jumping up and down waving your hands, that would be more appropriate than the shows they put on. They serve no other purpose other than entertainment. You can see for yourself: youtube.com/watch?v=ce-zDNE8zZM
Johnmann, I really don’t believe as you write: “they serve no other purpose other than entertainment” You really don’t believe that do you? That’s simply their unique way celebrating the Mass which is cultural tradition. There’s nothing wrong with that. The African American style of worship is very moving and deep. It’s sustained them through a very rough history in our country, something that many will never understand. There is nothing wrong that that. By the way, I watched the St. Sabina celebration on the link you shared. I only wished some of the parishes I’ve belonged to in the past would celebrate the good news like they do. The pastor at St. Sabina’s is a good man and very outspoken about issues of injustice, gang and gun violence, racism, and other ills that plague our society. He is very well known in Chicago.