Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord: Music and Songs within Pentecostal West Indian Immigrant Religious Communities in Diaspora

Introduction

At the moment, there are two major developments that are having a tremendous effect upon global Christianity. One is the shift of the centre of Christianity from the North to the South.¹ Concurrently, there is the existence of several socio-economic and political forces that are shaping our world into one intrinsically connected global community. This in turn results in the growth of migration from two-thirds world nations, such as the West Indies, to first world nations, such as the United States and Britain.² The combination of these two developments fosters the creation of a new expression of Christianity – Southern Christianity as lived out in the North. It is also interesting to note that the Christianity practiced by these immigrants from the southern continents is predominantly Pentecostal in nature. For many immigrants, the search for a better way of life also incorporates a vital religious life which may have a profound effect on their transition into the host society. As such, this area of religious life among immigrants is an area that requires attention because these churches in Diaspora present not only a unique opportunity for ministry to immigrants but also towards the host societies.

Pentecostalism has been noted for its narrativity in regards to its the-ology.³ Thus, in order to ascertain what is believed, one has to examine not just what is written but more importantly what is practiced and articulated by the liturgy within a specific religious community. For PentecostalWest Indian immigrant religious communities, this is an oral liturgy that includes exuberant participation by the members of the community. Within this context, the role of music and songs is paramount. The songs and music that comprise the liturgy can function as an expression of worship and as an articulation of the community's theology. Within this article several popular choruses sung in Pentecostal West Indian immigrant religious communities will be examined. What do these songs express in regards to worship and also articulate about the religious community's theology? This article will also analyse the role/s that music and these particular songs play in the immigrant's transition into thehost society. Does the retention of certain lyrics and rhythms within these religious songs assist the immigrant in navigating the 'new environment'? Do these songs and music undergo adaptation or remain uniquely West Indian? What do these songs and music declare about issues of identity, and empowerment?

The term West Indian is created in the Diaspora context. It is used to refer to people from the Caribbean islands that were formerly British colonies. Although this collective interpretation is accepted within various Diaspora contexts, it is important to note that the term West Indian incorporates a multiplicity of cultures and identities. Each of the islands, although sharing a common British heritage has it own distinctive cultures and identities. However as the migrants interact with their host countries many of the individual islands' cultural distinctions can become less pronounced and more collective expressions emerge. In regards to iden-tities, they too undergo a change and may become more collective; this is especially the case in many political and social contexts. For this article, the term will be used in the collective sense, however also bearing in mind that it refers not to a singular culture or identity but many.

The Diaspora Context

The faith of many of the Pentecostal West Indian migrants can be perceived by others to be experiential: it is a faith that is shaped by the socio-economic and political context in which their find themselves. But what was that context like?

The United States of America

For the West Indians who came to New York City, following the implementation of the Hart-Cellar immigration Reform Act of 1965, they encountered an American society, which Mary Waters describe as 'fundamentally a racist society'.⁴ Although the civil rights movement had resulted in various rights and privileges being appropriated to minorities, especially black people, at its core, the American society can still be perceived as [End...