Faith Exposed: Missionary News - Tribal Chant

  New Tribes Mission

My arm stretched out to the clock by the bed. "Is it possible that it's already 2:45 in the morning?" I said to Chris, awake beside me.

Sing-song-y chants competed with the normal jungle night sounds and it meant there would be no sleep tonight.
In the first months living in the jungle, we grew to love our lullaby of clicking and chirping insects as we drift off to sleep.

But last night they were drowned out by hours of chanting and dancing. Even the dogs were quieted this night by the unusual activity.

What competed with the jungle began around 4:30 in the afternoon. An elderly Banwaon man chanting in staccato bursts was followed by a procession of people moving forward with measured steps to the meeting place in the middle of the village — and right beside our house.

As night fell the dim lighting illuminated the open-sided house packed with Banwaons huddled under blankets on the floor or stepping over the huddles.

 
Like relay runners handing off batons, the chanters belted out the sing-song-y rhythms for about 20 minutes or so until the voice began to fade and crack. That was apparently the signal for the next leader to begin.

We couldn't peel our faces away as we watched from our bedroom window, the perfect perch, out of the way and causing no distractions.

At 4 in the morning, the rhythm was notched up a bit and several young men and women scrambled out of their blankets to take part in a graceful dance that circled around those few managing to keep their spot among those sprawled around on the floor.

We watched unwearied by the long hours straining to hear the words that danced about with the people. It all finally came to an end by 11:30 the next morning as they tumbled out of the meeting house for food and rest.

As we soaked in this new experience, we prayed God would help us stay diligent studying this new language. We could understand only a few words that floated up to our window that night. It thrilled our hearts that those words were about God and His Son, Jesus and the work of His blood on the cross for them.

The chanting was of praise and thanksgiving for God the Holy Spirit teaching their hearts through the Word and guiding their praise.

We don't hear much talk about the old days of fearing the evil spirits that once ruled their lives. And we may never fully know what those all-night chants used to mean to them or for what purpose they were performed.

The Banwaon tribe has second generation believers. Praise God that He has shown them His love and given them a new purpose to chant.

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NTM Mission News: Tribal Chant