Pirahã music
From SPARK
Brief Summary
Music is used by the Piraha (Brazil) to introduce new information.
Several discoveries about the use of music were very useful in helping people in a remote Brazilian village want to learn about Jesus. Singing in a culturally appropriate way was the method used to introduce Bible Stories and foster literacy to the Pirahã. The response, especially from the children, was enthusiastic.
Introduction
Spiritual warfare has been strong in a remote Pirahã (Brazil) village. Every time the Pirahã saw a filmstrip about Jesus the spirits would fight back.
Key Factors:
- Keren attended an ethnomusicology workshop and realized that music may be the key to reaching the Pirahã.
- Keren discovered a woman literacy student could sing anything she could say, and she sang the literacy book.
- People started attending literacy classes because they wanted to sing.
- Children don't sing until their first encounter with the spirits.
What was done
Keren learned to sing their style, showing them she too has a musical gift, but by God’s power. So Keren sings Bible stories.
Results
With much excitement one morning Keren woke up to the children singing “God is good.” Then Keren discovered that music is the means used by the Pirahã to introduce new information. Now that they are presenting the news of Christ in a culturally appropriate way, the Pirahã just can't get enough of it! They are always saying, “Tell us more about Jesus.”
- By Vi Heinrichs
