ABSTRACT
This thesis attempts a thematic and stylistic analysis of what I term ―Christianised Traditional Anlo Songs (CTAS)‖. These songs are traditional Anlo songs that have been adapted and are being used in Christian worship in recent times without discrimination. They were hitherto termed ‗evil‘ and ‗pagan‘ and were consequently banned in Churches prior to the formation of Pentecostal movements and churches in Ghana in the late 1970s. The question then is why are they being embraced now? The Christianised Traditional Anlo Songs (CTAS) were recorded, transcribed, translated and analysed against the backdrop of Anlo world views and Roman Catholic beliefs and practices. These songs have been thematically classified under four themes: (i) salvation (ii) futility of idol worship (iii) freedom in Christ and (iv) goodness /kindness of God. CTAS depict Christianity as the most ideal religion and are used to ridicule and attack African traditional religious practices such as afã divination and idol worship and their functionaries. In condemning these ―so called‖ pagan practices, the Catholic Church appears to open itself to criticisms as some of these practices are prominent in the CTAS and some doctrines of the church. I have investigated the use of imagery, symbolism, allusion, hyperbole, repetition and parallelism as tools for communication in the CTAS to their (Christians‘) prospective converts. In summary, it has been found that these stylistic techniques have Biblical leanings.
AGBEZORLIE, P (2021). A Thematic And Stylistic Analysis Of Christianised Traditional Anlo Songs: A Case Study Of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Hatorgodo.. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/a-thematic-and-stylistic-analysis-of-christianised-traditional-anlo-songs-a-case-study-of-st-mary-s-roman-catholic-church-hatorgodo
AGBEZORLIE, PETER "A Thematic And Stylistic Analysis Of Christianised Traditional Anlo Songs: A Case Study Of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Hatorgodo." Afribary. Afribary, 26 May. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/a-thematic-and-stylistic-analysis-of-christianised-traditional-anlo-songs-a-case-study-of-st-mary-s-roman-catholic-church-hatorgodo. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
AGBEZORLIE, PETER . "A Thematic And Stylistic Analysis Of Christianised Traditional Anlo Songs: A Case Study Of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Hatorgodo.". Afribary, Afribary, 26 May. 2021. Web. 26 Dec. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/a-thematic-and-stylistic-analysis-of-christianised-traditional-anlo-songs-a-case-study-of-st-mary-s-roman-catholic-church-hatorgodo >.
AGBEZORLIE, PETER . "A Thematic And Stylistic Analysis Of Christianised Traditional Anlo Songs: A Case Study Of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Hatorgodo." Afribary (2021). Accessed December 26, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/a-thematic-and-stylistic-analysis-of-christianised-traditional-anlo-songs-a-case-study-of-st-mary-s-roman-catholic-church-hatorgodo