Sudan: Moving in the Mabaan church step

SUDAN

Under the big shade tree by the Gasamalla church, a solitary figure squats by a large drum. A series of quick beats gets the leather vibrating and his hands remember their skill. Soon the rhythms begin to flow out of the homemade bass drum and float off down the hill to the house where the song leader lives.

It is late in the afternoon and by the sound of the beat, he knows the drummer is doing more than a warm-up; he is calling the singers to keep their appointment to take the gospel to the streets. The song leader sits quietly for a moment, mentally reviewing the list of songs

he’s planned. He breathes a prayer.

Back at the big shade tree, male and female singers are gathering. A novice song leader sings the opening line of a song. Without looking up, the drummer adjusts his rhythm to fit the tune.

When Benjamin—the song leader—arrives from down the hill, he finds all the youth assembled and singing heartily. Next, his clear voice rings our as he calls out words of encouragement. “Be bold,” he says. “Don’t be afraid. Let us sing to our Great God all around Sherkole camp.”

After a brief prayer, he sings the opening line of the first song on his program. The worshippers sing their reply. Their bodies sway slowly back and forth and their feet begin to shuffle in the trademark, Mabaan church dance step. Not the stomping of the drunken parties that often take place on the streets of their village, but a lithe, mirthful step.

With a loud crescendo and the exuberant ululating of the girls, the choir moves out of the shade into the hot sunshine. They turn their faces toward the hub of the refugee camp—the market—and set out down the road, moving and singing in unison under their fluttering banners. Like a megaphone they come, declaring their allegiance and their love. The gentle breeze carries the notes and wafts them over the town.

Old men on sleeping mats stir and sit up. The middle-aged men playing cards by the tea shop play a few rounds in silence, listening as the choir passes by. To these men it has become a familiar sound, but they still do not quite comprehend the joy written all over the faces of that choir.

Throughout the camp they go, declaring the praises of God, teaching a sad and hurting world the joy of the Lord and inviting them to come follow Him.

This description of the Mabaan Christian Youth Fellowship paints a picture of the Christian life of Sudanese youth. This particular Sudanese tribe are known for their love of singing. On average, church services include two hours of singing praises.

A bass drum keeps time and a small four-litre drum peals out electrifying rhythms that get your heart going. Typically one attributes the use of drums and dancing to pre-Christian traditions, but among the Mabaan, it is the church that has adopted the use of drums; their animist counterparts do not use them. Rolf Kruse

Angela and Rolf Kruse (Kola/Rosenort Fellowship) have served Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia. They are currently in Canada.