Conflict, Accommodation, and Transformation: The Effect of Islam on Music of the Vai Secret Societies

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Periodical article

Title:	Conflict, Accommodation, and Transformation: The Effect of Islam on Music of the Vai Secret Societies
Author:	Monts, Lester P.
Year:	1984
Periodical:	Cahiers d'études africaines
Volume:	24
Issue:	95
Pages:	321-342
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Liberia
Subjects:	Islam secret societies music Religion and Witchcraft Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
External link:	https://doi.org/10.3406/cea.1984.2206
Abstract:	In Liberian Vai society, Islam has had what could be interpreted as both a positive and negative impact on their music. In an attempt to penetrate this rather complex domain, this article focuses on the effect of Islam on the traditional music practices of two Vai secret societies, 'Bélì or Póró (for men) and Sàndè (for women). Two fundamental points are examined: 1) the basic conflicts between the secret societies and Islam are discussed; here, the problem rests with the adaptive strategies used by both Muslim and traditional factions, in order to accommodate and reconcile their ideological differences; and 2) the most important issue, namely the musical changes caused by the incursion of new social and religious patterns. - Bibliogr., fig., notes, sum. in French p. 386.