Study Course Exam #41: Dance of Manahaim Study Course
Music is an integral part of Africal life, so understandably, so is dance. Dance in Africa is communal and everyone participates. Music, dance, mime or story-telling are integrated together to form one harmonious whole. As clearly as the bible teaches, the spiritual realm is real, and no man can serve two masters.
Man's entire life from birth to death, will either be a dance that tends toward life, as he yields his body, soul and spirit to God through His Son Jesus Christ, or it will be a dance of death, as he yields himself and his faculties to the lordship of Satan. (Matthew 6:24)
Read, 2 Cor. 10:1-7, with Ephesians 6: 10-18 and write out what you feel is the principle theme of this passage. Use up to 1-2 pages to express what is said in these vital messages, from the heart of God, regarding spiritual warfare, and man's suceptibility to demonic suggestin if he does not obey the word of the Lord, as written in the bible.
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Scripturally speaking, not to make spiritual progress through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is to ultimately regress. There is no standing still, for to stagnate is to degenerate. Dance is an essential part of spiritual life, for it communicates with the spiritual realm.
Traditionally, African people love stories, proverbs, songs, etc. The "griot"is the African version of bard,musician, story-teller, and local historian. He or she brings out into the open things that others may have left unconsidered.
The French song of "the larks", which is called "Alouette," and which has been sung by school children the world over, was theme for one "griot," in telling of the colonization of Africa. Write a brief outline of 1-2 pages explaining a theme you would use during your mission to Africa, and using your ministry gifts of poet, bible story-teller, dancer, include proverbs, parables, which you feel line up with or expand a spiritual understanding from God's word, and add dance or movement if you like.
In African story telling, drums also "talk." Put together a "costume" for yourself, with a "lapa," or over-blouse, and colorful skirt and "gela" or sash. The gela is a two-yard length of fabric that is 10-15 inches wide. It is wound about the head, with the end pleated and left hanging for decoration.
From the pages in your Dance of Manahaim Study Course, what 4 things are the dances of Africa peculiar to?
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As with the Jewish people, Africa has it's _______________________________________________________ceremonies in which dance is a part of the celebration. Paul speaks of maturing in Christ, with the words: For when for the time,you ught to have been teachers, you have need that one teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat. (Hebrews 5:12-14)
Maturing comes through experience. Read Romans 5:3-5. According to this verse, what works patience in us, as the children of God?
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What does patience effect in our lives, from verse 4?
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As a part of this process, experience does what?
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According to verse 5, what aspect of the Spirit of God working in our lives, and instilling hope causes us not to be ashamed? The key to all of this is seen in verse 6, with "for." What is the basis of this hope, as an anchor for our souls? (Romans 5:6-7, Hebrews 6:19)
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The adinkra is a traditional cloth from Ghana, called "the cloth that speaks." Adinkra means "Goodbye or farewell," and is worn at funerals, and other occasions. The various designs have significance, or meaning.
From your book, describe an African funeral dance. ____________________________________________________
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Proverbs, or verses are stamped in the cloth, with ink made from the bark of a tree. To create your own, use linoleum block, potato stamps, or a sponge. Dip the stamp in fabric dye obtained at a local fabric store.
You might like the "adire" tecnique, in which a white paste is used to paint on the design, and to resist the dye. After it has dried, dye the gardment or scarf. let it dry and scrape off the paste.
Get together with a friend, son or daughter, and make your own "talking fabric" in honour of the death of a loved one.
In what country in Africa is the Feast of Mascal celebrated as a part of the Dance of the Cross?
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What are the colorful costumes like in this well known cultural dance of the region?
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Similar to the dance performed by King David, these dances are done to the musical accompaniment of what types of ancient instruments?
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In the scriptures, people would dance as they worked. Over the centuries, dances that enacted the trades or work of a culture became a part of the folk dances of the various cultures.
God's word speaks of mining, in the verse admonishing God's people to seek God as they would seek for silver and for gold." As gold is tried, God tries the heart of man, to see what sort it is. (Prov. 17:3) The psalmist, who was a man after God's own heart, speaks of God's word being more precious than riches of this sort. (Psalm 119:72) In Africa where mining is a part of the cultures work, "mine dances" are performed.
MAKWAYA is a word derived from the English word "choir." This is the term given to the miming and group singing called by what name?
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Kwanzaa, an African-American "festival of light," is a Swahili term meaning "first fruits." Biblically, the "firstfruits speaks of the first grain, or fruit harvested each year. This produce in addition to livestock, was offered to God in celebratin of thanksgiving, to Him for sustaining their lives through His goodness.
Jesus Christ is God's first-fruits, as the scripture has said. For as in Adam, all die; even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward, they that are Christ's at His coming. (1 Cor. 15:23) In Romans 8:23, we read of believers which have received the "first-fruits of the Spirit."
In the bible, worship dance was incorporated into the "festival of light," with light being the symbol for God, who is giver and sustainer of life, as the sun warms and brings the earth to harvest.
Hold a Christian Kwanzaa celebration this year, and plan a special praise and worship time, that incorporates dance, such as a dance team number to "This Little Light of Mine." Hold your event in the evening, turn down the lights and have your dancers dance with candles in their hands. Make it a potluck celebration with special African dishes.
