The drum and its significance for the interpretation of the Old Testament from an African perspective: Part one

Abstract

Recent developments in South Africa opened the doors of opportunity for Old Testament scholars to position themselves in terms of Africa and to allow the African context to play a more explicit role in the interpretation of the Bible. An awareness of the significance of the (South) African context for the interpretation of the Old Testament in South Africa can inform the construction and refinement of the comparative paradigm as a reading strategy. In consequence, it might not only serve the communication of the message, but also facilitate a dialogue between the text and the contemporary reader and imbue the comparative method as a reading strategy. Being aware of the significance of music and its function regarding expression of African religion and spirituality, the article explores aspects of music and its potential to inform a particular �reading�, with specific reference to the drum. (Whilst the focus in Part 1 is more on some hermeneutical aspects as pertaining to a specific reading strategy, Part 2 is to explore the significance of music for the interpretation of the Old Testament with specific reference to Psalm 150).Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The contribution attempts to illustrate that, in our encounters with the biblical text, we need to move beyond a historical descriptiveanalysis of the text or defining its significance in linguistic terms only. In so doing, the �comparative paradigm� is augmented by allowing insights from various disciplines to inform the reader.Keywords: Music; 'Hemeneutics'; 'African Reading' of the Old Testament

The drum and its significance for the interpretation of the Old Testament from an African perspective: Part two

“…Bearing in mind the importance of music and its function regarding religious expression, various aspects pertaining to the function and significance of music are being explored in order to enrich the interpretation of Psalm 150, with specific reference to music and musical instruments. (Whilst the focus in Part one [Oosthuizen 2016] is more on some hermeneutical aspects as pertaining to a specific reading strategy, Part two explores the significance of music for the interpretation of the Old Testament from an African perspective with specific reference to the drum and its usage in Psalm 150). Music enables one to comprehend and articulate a very particular aspect of religious experience, and it is of the utmost importance that this be acknowledged and taken into account in the current debate regarding appropriate strategies for the interpretation of religious texts in an African context.…”

“…One finger cannot play the drum alone … 1 In a prelude (Oosthuizen 2016) regarding the significance of the drum for the interpretation of the Old Testament from an African perspective, some broad parameters were drawn whereby exegesis came to be defined as more than a mere historically descriptive enterprise, acknowledging the fact that in our encounters with the biblical text or Old Testament, method is not to be seen as an end in itself (Le Roux 2002:1;Ukpong 1999). 2 In appreciation and acknowledgement of an 'African orientation' (Ukpong 1999) that characterises a particular outlet of Old Testament scholarship, and in order to augment the comparative approach (West 2005), an attempt is being made to illustrate how the African context can inform a comparative reading of the Old Testament, with specific 1.Well known African expression pointing to the importance of communal interests, solidarity and identity formation, as implied in Oosthuizen (2016:3,5).…”