Music plays an undeniably powerful role in everything that we do. It also has a powerful effect over rituals and the individual spirit as well. In addition to the effects music has on individuals, it has an important role to play in the functioning of society and has had for many thousands of years. Music is invariably expressed in relation to religion, celebrations and dance. In most religions, but not all, music is used in chanting and hymn singing. It is also involved in the human preoccupation with seeking altered states of consciousness as part of ritual. This can be especially seen in the video that we viewed in class on the Tumbuka healing ceremony. The video was about a healing ceremony and how the beat of the music had the ability to energize spirits. This ene

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e many people that attend this festival wait all day just to hear this song play. It is as if the song itself is cleansing their soul. This is a feast honoring Saint Paulinus. Therefore, when many Catholics hear this song being played, it is as if they are paying homage to Saint Paulinus and also helping to lift their ancestors out of purgatory. Music provides a means of expressing a wide variety of human feelings, love, sadness and a sense of belonging which people sometimes find difficult to verbalize. It provides an alternative means of communication between individuals and groups, although this communication tends to be restricted to those who understand the particular meanings of the musical genre being used. Music forms part of the social fabric of our lives. Making music and sharing its meanings within a culture or particular env

Some common words found in the essay are:
, Saint Paulinus, O'Giglio Paradiso, Paulinus Catholics, healing ceremony, tumbuka healing ceremony, music played, hear song, altered consciousness, tumbuka healing, saint paulinus, music plays, beat music,
Approximate Word count = 620
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)