The Festivalization of Religion

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Muslim people engaged in Qur’an recitation in Indonesia would never describe what they are doing as music. Islam has a complicated relationship with music, and even beyond that the Indonesian definition of music require instruments. However, Anna Rasmussen claims that the recitation she is studying is a form of music. We discussed this in class, which made me wonder at what point chanting becomes music. I think the answer lies in the concept of the “festivalization of religion” that Rasmussen brings up in chapter four.

There is a fine line between ritual and art. First, I do not believe that most people would describe their own rituals as a form of art. The application of that label requires an outsider’s perspective in many cases. Second, the Indonesian government encourages the performance of religion in a way that transforms ritual into art. This may be how Qur’an recitation can become music.

When recitation becomes a public event and a competition, the intention behind it is transformed. Even the call to prayer is changed. When performed at these festivals, its purpose is no longer just to encourage people to come pray. In the context of festival and competition, it becomes something more like what westerners would deem “music.” It is performed, it is enjoyed and judged, and it serves a social purpose as well as a religious one. In this way, the festivalization of Islam creates music.

I still am a little uncomfortable describing Qur’an recitation as music. It seems disrespectful to classify an act as music when the very people performing it reject that label. There is no reason why the broad, western definition of music needs to be applied to Muslim people in Indonesia, and I believe it is important to try and understand aspects of culture on their own terms and within their own frames. However, there does seem to be something distinct about Qur’an recitation in the context of these festivals and competitions. Perhaps the term “music” should be limited to recitation in this context.

 
http://www.gsalam.net/how-to-memorize-the-quran-in-10-years-regardless-of-age-or-profession-1/

Comments

  1. Jonathan Brumberg-KrausMarch 28, 2018 at 8:45 AM

    These are good questions. We'll touch on the music/ritual/art issue in class when Professor Matthew Allen comes to class.

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