Authenticity in Fusion Music: A Case Study Among Indigenous Churches in Brazil

Indigenous peoples of Brazil have come to faith in Christ in large numbers in recent decades. As Christianity takes root in each culture, it may incorporate expressive forms of music and art, which can range from those identical to earlier cultural forms to those which are fully imported. But what happens when musicians and artists of a local indigenous community fuse elements from a variety of genres and create their own music? Are they just imitations of external forms? Or are they authentic creations from elements that have now become their own sounds, too? Christian musicians among the Xerente (pronounced Sheh-´ren-teh) have created their own fusion genre(s) to express their faith, communicate the gospel, and edify their churches. Their music includes elements from their cultural tradition as well as from (secular) genres of the northeastern region of Brazil. Is it, then, authentically Xerente? As we discuss in this book, independent of tangible markers or its long history, the authenticity of an art form can be demonstrated through a number of connections with the community and signposted by its meaning and function among the people, as well as the competence and agency of the people in their artistic choices.

About the Author :
Elsen Portugal is the vice president of academic affairs and professor of intercultural studies at Champion Christian College in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is a musician and lifelong cross-cultural worker. He has authored a number of articles on the topics of worship and arts published in English and in Portuguese. Currently, he is completing the writing of Ethnodoxology: An Introduction in Portuguese, as well developing courses related to this discipline.

Review :
"Elsen Portugal is a master scholar-practitioner. His chronicling of the dynamic interweaving of cultural manifestation with expressions of Christian faith, even in the unique environment of an indigenous Brazilian people group, can be instructive for anyone seeking guidance in their own locale. This book plows important ground which will surely bear good fruit for ethnodoxology as a discipline and as a celebration of the arts in service for the gospel." --Rob Hewell, professor of music, Ouachita Baptist University "Elsen Portugal has enriched the field of ethnodoxology through a creatively designed and executed study of the indigenous musical styles and practices of the Xerente churches in Brazil. His research provides thoughtful and thought-provoking insights into the 'authentic' development of musical worship within that culture, suggesting an effective framework for examining the worship musical styles of other Christian communities. Thank you, Elsen Portugal, for your hard work and devotion to cross cultural missions." --Stan Moore, professor of church music and worship, B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary "Elsen Portugal has provided both theoretical and practical evidence from his study of the Brazilian Xerente fusion genres that churches can embrace to create and meld their culture's music and traditions into their own musical worship. His pursuit of authentic music genres that fuse multiple influences for worship lays the groundwork for global churches to find their doxological voice for their culture in their time. This study will become a foundational work in the study of ethnodoxology." --Gene Wilkes, president and professor of New Testament and leadership, B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary