Music and Religion

While I was reading the Portuguese views of Ethiopia, I was struck by a section of the Weddings and Burials chapter. The specific Ethiopian traditions and customs of mourning reminded me greatly of the text of the Brahms Requiem (which I had the pleasure of just recently performing). The author of this article describes the mourning process on pages 66-67. He states, “The mourn their dead, lamenting loudly and for many days. They begin the lament long before dawn and it lasts until broad daylight, parents, children, relations and friends of the dead man assembling with many female mourners who lament to the sound of the drum, striking together the palms of their hands, beating their breasts and uttering heartbreaking lamentations in melancholy tones.” (66-67). This passage directly corresponds with the overall themes of the Brahms Requiem. Some of the more striking biblical passages that make up this piece include, “Blest are they who are sorrowful, for they shall have comfort.” (Matthew 5:4, Movement I), “Blessed are the dead who in the Lord die from henceforth: 
Yea, the Spirit speaks, that they rest from their labors; and their works follow after them.” (Revelation 14:13, Movement VII), and especially, “For mortal flesh is as the grass, and all the comeliness of man is as the grasses flower. 
The grass hath withered, and the flowers thereof hath fallen.” (I Peter 1:24, Movement II), which correlate to the “heartbreaking lamentations” practiced by the Ethiopians. The overall theme of the Requiem is peace for the dead and comfort for those who mourn. I see the Ethiopian mourning customs to emphasize the same ideas.

This concept of music relating to religion or religious beliefs or customs is also evident in the Rastafari Movement. The music of Reggae artists, such as Bob Marley, “re-energizes classic Rastafari issues such as social injustice, revolution and the honor and responsibility of parenthood” (Wikipedia) to promote their religious beliefs. Music is especially powerful and has a huge influence on society. Religion takes music and uses it to further belief systems, and individuals use music to help deal with personal religious issues.