The importance of understanding and making sense of Zulu traditional hymns as a symbol of expressing worship: Cognitive hermeneutics and hermeneutics of hymnody theories

Sakhiseni J Yende

doi:10.4102/hts.v77i4.7038

Abstract

Singing and understanding Zulu traditional hymns among charismatic churches and gospel groups have become a fundamental worship tool. Zulu traditional hymns are at the centre of Christian lives in South Africa. Singing Zulu traditional hymns (iCilongo Levangeli) is predominant for many South African musicians and gospel groups using modern musical styles. However, contemporary churches, musicians and gospel groups tend not to understand the authenticity of these hymns. The issue of Zulu traditional hymns in the modern gospel industry is a matter of great concern. Therefore, this article addresses and discusses the importance of understanding and making sense of Zulu traditional hymns as a symbol of expressing worship. Data were collected for a research practice using a hermeneutic phenomenology paradigm to obtain a precise understanding and the original meaning of the prominent Zulu traditional hymns. The study reveals that there are Zulu traditional hymns that were misinterpreted and misunderstood. The misinterpretation of Zulu traditional hymns is partly attributable to the ignorance of the underlying true meaning, emotions, state and purpose of the original composer.Contribution: This study recommends that contemporary gospel musicians sing Zulu traditional hymns in the original text to ensure that they do not misinterpret the hymns.

Highlights

Singing parts of the liturgy is vital in the Christian society as they help believers pray, confess their sins and proclaim the grace of God
Hermeneutical phenomenology is applied to this study because the nature of this study is to describe and discourse regarding the importance of understanding and making sense of and to conduct an inquiry into prominent Zulu traditional hymns as a symbol of expressing worship
Many gospel musicians use traditional hymns for business purposes rather than praising and worshipping God. This does not mean that gospel musicians do not use hymns for worship

Summary

Introduction

Singing parts of the liturgy is vital in the Christian society as they help believers pray, confess their sins and proclaim the grace of God. This article focuses on contemporary gospel groups and musicians who always fail to sing traditional hymns in strophic form. Many contemporary gospel groups and musicians use a unitary form that shortens the hymns and weakens the hymns’ message and purpose. Hymns will refer to Zulu traditional hymns. Zulu traditional hymns will be referred to as the hymns found in iCilongo Levangeli that are composed and translated from Zulu melody. Contemporary Zulu traditional hymns are typically identified as Christian gospel music and attract many believers. There is a far greater belief that traditional hymns of all South African tribes are the backbone and cornerstone of authentic worship and modern gospel music (Kloppers 2020; Tönsing 2017; Van de Laar 2000)

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