original WORSHIP MUSIC from the Embera tribe [Panama]

It is a scary thing to feel out-of-control. It is a wonderful thing, however, if it is accompanied by a deep awareness that GOD is in control. That is exactly what I experienced during our songwriting workshop with the Embera people (Jan 2008). Traditionally, the Embera have written and sung songs primarily under the influence of alcohol. This has caused some Christians to avoid the music altogether, and has made it so that other Christians have had very little connection with the traditional music. As we prayed before the conference, the scripture on my heart was clear, "Do not be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord..." [Eph 5:18-21] I shared this scripture with the group that was gathered, some from Piriati who had participated in the songwriting workshop we helped organize back in October (see previous post), others from Piriati with no prior experience, and still others from a village deep in the jungle not accessible to American missionaries. One of the Embera men prayed for the Holy Spirit to fill them, and allow them to write new songs to praise Acore (God). And off we went. We divided up into three groups, because there were three older people (who had significant knowledge of the traditional Embera music).

[have a listen to two of their original worship songs; written after a songwriting workshop taught by Jo-Ann Richards]