"Toward the Indigenization/Acculturation of Christian Hymnody in the 21st Century Local Church in Africa: A Case of the Hymns of the Yoruba people of Nigeria"

Abstract

This paper is based upon the promotion of the indigenization of hymn usage and singing accompanied with local musical instruments. The paper focuses on the fact that this will make more impact in the life of indigenous African Christian worshipers. The use of hymns embedded in the African cultural heritage is the way forward. The imposition of western tune and culture on indigenous texts (lyrics) over the years has proved less effective. In short, this paper encourages the need for a strong promotion of the Africanizing of our worship hymns due to the uniqueness of our tonal inflections and African idioms. Also, the use of African instruments to accompany our hymn singing will add more life into the singing and thereby enrich their worship experience.