HEAVEN SOUND - WE DA DIS.
By: ROBERT BRITTON
Since the 18th century the arrival of Christianity in this land of religious beliefs has been part of life in the community of Old Providence and Santa Catalina Island, a community located in the Caribbean Sea dedicated to serving God.
Music has contributed to the education of our community true the churches these practices are the worship with music to God, and from early youth and adults are part of the various corro of the churches.
Religious songs are part of the culture of Providencia and Santa Catalina, harmonic sounds on a Saturday or Sunday Day announces moment of joy and praise to God, a very religious community with customs and traditions has prevailed for generations.
Historically traditional religious denominations on the island has been the Baptist, Catholic and Adventist religion, there is currently more than 17 churches located in different parts of the island.
We should also mention the arrival of different religions on the island in the recent years, as the Pentecostal Church and Jehovah's Witnesses that has slowly gained ground in the Raizal community.
Traditional churches have contributed much to the culture of the islands in recent decades, they contributed to the formation of many local talents who today serve as musicians and sings authors, who gave his first musical steps in corros and praises groups in churches.
The religious songs are part of celebrations of Marriage, baptisms, birthdays, funerals and other religious celebrations.
The visits to sick people who can not attend churches are visited at home by members of the congregation with a song of hope.
The form of interpretation of the traditional hymns in the church has a very particular form of expression, following the ancient or traditional books taken from songs called hymnals and performed only with the piano or organ.
Islander traditional folk instruments like the horse jaw bone, the tub, the guacharaca, mandolin and others have not been included in religious songs in the past considered unsuitable for these religious celebrations but today the concept has changed considering important to maintain the customs and traditional music in the community through religious songs played with folk instruments.
Looking for more contact with the youth and teenagers, music has been a tool of approach, employed by the various religions to attract young people to church more attractive by providing a new musical space where they can express their own musical compositions.
If it were not for the churches our culture would have a different story, thanks to them our traditions have remained in force.
Sunday school at the Baptist church has been a place where children start their first Bible study and learn their first religious songs. This is the cradle of future musicians and performers of the corros.
The Catholic religion has also made its contribution to the preservation of musical values with the formation of those involved in youth run different corals encounter in the department.
Adventist religion has also contributed to the preservation of culture and Christian values in the native islander community with music, a way to express praise to God.
It should be emphasized religious values instilled in the community who have been instrumental in strengthening Christian values and mutual respect that has prevailed for generations, but today is challenged by religious leaders.
Old Providence and Santa Catalina islands fortunate to have Christian values that has contributed to the preservation of a culture through the rings of the churches where opportunity is provided to new music talents.
For that WE DA DIS.
