Step #3 of a long term project to create a Krio language liturgy for the ELCSL is underway this week. After teaching pastors and evangelists how to read and write Krio (one year ago), and after working to translate the English liturgy into the Krio language (this summer), five ELCSL musicians are now working to compose music for Lutheran worship in Sierra Leone. The project is moving ahead at this point with on the ground support from a consultant with Lutheran Bible Translators.
Singing a new song: this is the team working together to compose music for Krio language worship: Betty Fanna, Halima George, Rev. Christopher Yanker, Tom Barnett (Jr.), and Daniel Mossima. They are practicing one of their compositions in this photo, using the papers to read the Krio words. In this process, the tunes are learned by ear and sung from memory, as only one of the team members reads and writes musical notations.
Daniel Mossima is the national youth president and a very talented musician.
On Monday, the team read through the liturgy in Krio and asked the Holy Spirit to bless and inspire the work ahead. One of the participants expressed the hope that music for the Lutheran liturgy would not simply replicate the pervasive styles and sounds of Pentecostal worship. We realized that we don’t yet know the sound or nature of a truly (indigenous) Sierra Leonean Lutheran worship style, but hope to set a process in motion for the ongoing development of “Lutheran” music in the Krio language.
Rob Veith, an ethnomusicologist with Lutheran Bible Translators is holding the microphone. Once the musicians have composed a song they want to remember, Rob steps in with his recording equipment.
After two and a half days working together, the musicians have composed 9 pieces of music for worship, including Krio language versions of the kyrie, “this is the feast,” the holy, holy, holy, and the Lord’s prayer. They were a bit tired as we wrapped up the afternoon session earlier today, but we all feel that the Spirit has been at work in these days. The team will continue composing as the Spirit moves, and next week we will begin teaching the songs to a special choir, with an eye to producing a CD for use as a teaching tool. We welcome your prayers as this project continues in coming days and weeks.
This sounds like quite a project. I can’t wait to here the music as it evolves. Prayers are being sent to all involved. Love the pictures. Catherine
I have being following your work in my country. As a youth of the ELCSL, I think translating the Lutheran worship into Krio is a good idea and will involve every boby in worship. Must people can’t read and understand English. Keep it up Pastor Kate.