Arts and culture
Grade 6
Expression and communication
Module 5
Music: to identify rituals
Activity 1:
To identify rituals
[lo 4.4]
All cultures in the world practise some or other form of religion through religious ceremonies.
Choose a ritual that plays an important role in your religion. Then complete the questionnaire below. Thereafter it will be possible to determine which elements are usually present in religious rituals.
RITUAL: | YES | NO | Majority of classYes/No |
Is music involved? | |||
Is movement involved? | |||
Is dancing involved? | |||
Is singing involved? | |||
Are the words of the song important? | |||
Is the singing mainly solo? | |||
Is it mainly community singing? | |||
Are there any elements that contribute to the atmosphere? (candles) | |||
Does sharing play a role? (e.g. wine, bread) | |||
Are symbols involved? (e.g. water) | |||
Do you think an individual can perform a ritual? |
Activity 2:
To identify symbolism in rituals
[lo 4.4]
What is symbolism?
Symbolism plays a major role in rituals.
Think of the ritual of greeting
- The shaking of hands is only a symbol . It creates a bond between the two persons and symbolises (indicates, means) friendship.
- Another example where water is used as symbol: The Hatsiatsia (Pronounced: Hat-cha-cha)
The Hatsiatsia, a ritual (ceremony) from Ghana, is performed on the first Sunday of each month. The people form a large circle with a bucket of holy water in the centre of the circle. While dancing slowly around the bucket, they all get a chance to dip their hands into the bucket to wipe their faces with the water. The water is used as a symbol of forgiving and forgetting (washing away) and discord between friends and family during the past month. The music is played on metal gongs.
- What is the symbolism of water in your religion?
- Why do you think the words in the singing are important in a ritual?
- What do think is the symbolism of communal singing in a ritual?
Activity 3:
To investigate the role of music in rituals
[lo 4.4]
MUSIC AND SYMBOLISM
Music plays an important role in rituals. Certain kinds of music is associated with certain rituals.
- Listen to the music examples.
- Indicate which of the rituals listed below can be linked to the music.
- Draw any symbol that you would associate with these rituals.
School meeting | Wedding | National holiday | Sporting event |
The role of music in rituals
Investigate the music
- A Sporting ritual
Complete the following with regard to the music in a sporting ritual, e.g. in a rugby or soccer match between South Africa and England:
Which bond is formed?
What message is conveyed?
Describe the emotions experienced?
Describe the atmosphere that is created:
A School ritual
Complete the following with regard to the music in a school ritual:
Which bond is formed?
What message is conveyed?
Describe the emotions experienced:
Describe the atmosphere that is created:
- A religious ritual
S tep 1
Read the following, first in English and then in Xhosa:
S tep 2
The class divides into groups and each group does what the teacher asks them to do.
Choose the correct term and mark your choice clearly:
- Repetition / imitation / call and response means the same pattern is repeated by the same voice.
- Repetition / imitation / call and response means the same pattern is repeated by another voice.
- Repetition / imitation / call and response means two different voices follow one another with different patterns.
S tep 3
MASITHI is also known as “The Great Amen”.
Stephen Molefe (a teacher) composed this Xhosa song.
In many religions there is usually a prayer of thanksgiving at the end of the public worshipping. The whole congregation joins the minister at the end of the prayer of thanksgiving with this hymn. The words are : Let us say: Amen, We praise Thee
S tep 4
Sing the song.
S tep 5
Complete the following by choosing the right word.
atmosphere | call and answer | message | bond | repetition | thankfulness |
- The congregation joins the minister in the final hymn. There is therefore a
_________________________between the congregation and the minister.
- The words convey a_________________, which is “We praise Thee” (belief).
- A sacred _________________ is created.
- The emotion experienced is that of ____________________________________
- Features of this song: ____________and_______________________________
Assessment
Learning Outcomes(LOs) |
LO 4 |
EXPRESSION AND COMMUNICATION The learner is able to analyse and use multiple forms of communication and expression in Arts and Culture. |
Assessment Standards(ASs) |
We know this when the learner: |
MUSIC (4.4) |
|
DRAMA (4.2, 4.3) |
|
|
DANCE (4.1) |
|
VISUAL ARTS (4.5, 4.6) |
|
|
|