Religion and sonic practices: Similarities as a source of conflict between Pentecostals and adherents of indigenous religions

Abstract

Silence plays a critical role in many Christian traditions as an important platform for prayer. However, the lived experiences in Pentecostal-Charismatic173 Christianity are seldom quiet. Indeed, participating in a Pentecostal church service involves exuberant activities such as calls-and-responses, clapping, dancing, singing, and shouting. Sound and bodily movement are fundamental because central to their belief is the idea that the Holy Spirit fills adherents, making every action spirit-filled. These practices tend to be controversial and create tension with a section of the population in Ghanaian cities around the year, but they come to a full expression during the implementation of the annual ban on drumming and noisemaking preceding the celebration of the Ga festival of Homowo in Accra.