SURE YOU CAN HEAR ME...BUT DO YOU UNDERSTAND

In the comment box of my last BATTLE OF THE BANDS post I got to talking with someone, in truth I was talking at them, because they never commented back, so I really don’t know if they even read my comment. No matter, it was somewhat off topic, but on a topic that is interesting and important to me. That’s why I decided to share it with everyone, and make it the topic of this blog post.

You might not exactly agree, if you judge by some of my BATTLE OF THE BANDS posts, but I love music, mainly because it speaks TO my soul. I also love prayer, probably because it speaks FOR my soul. Often I feel that certain music IS a prayer. That said; I really like to ‘feel’ both as much as ‘hear’ them.

I have been fortunate enough that during the course of my life, I have been exposed to many and various different languages, we all probably have. I can speak several, even if I’m the only one who knows what I’m saying. In my extended family alone, several different languages are the native tongue of some wonderful people. I’ve also been fortunate to live in many places both inside the United States of America and out, exposing me further to different languages.

I really enjoy listening to music in another language, not all of the time, of course, but on occasion. I REALLY am intrigued by listening to people pray in another language. It is so powerful to not fully understand the words and open yourself up to feeling the Spirit and allowing it to convey purpose and meaning of what is being said or sung.

While my family and I lived in Florida we became friends with a family from Laos. I actually learned to speak a little Laotian, so as to help the mother in this family with a doctor’s appointment for herself and her children. It is a difficult language with absolutely no relationship to English. We made it through doctor’s appointments, school enrollments, and opening a bank account, but I would never say that I was able to ‘speak Laotian’. But, listening to these people pray in Laotian was an experience to behold and more than once I found myself with tears streaming down my face from the overpowering Spirit that was present.

Recently someone sent me this YouTube clip in an email. Check it out and see if the sheer power of it doesn’t move you. It sure did me, although I have absolutely no idea what these men are saying.

What you just witnessed is Maori Haka Kapa. At the website ‘100% Pure New Zealand they state:

Kapa haka - traditional Māori performances Violent foot-stamping, lizard-like tongue protrusions and rhythmic body slapping - so heavy it induces a bright red skin glow - are just one side of kapa haka performances. While those actions might appear aggressive, kapa haka - the traditional performance art of New Zealand's Māori people - is equally about grace, elegance and stylistic movement. Powerful art form It is the ability to convey a vast range of feelings and emotions that make kapa haka such a powerful art form. At one moment a softly sung choral arrangement enhanced by the synchronised dance of the women's poi, a kapa haka performance can suddenly break into a ferocious war chant, growls and blood curdling screams. This haka or war dance is an unrestrained display of anger and aggression used in ancestral times to mentally prepare war parties readying themselves for battle

The above video clip seems aggressive and war like, yet I instinctively seem to feel the emotions of grief, respect, as sense of loss, as well as well wishes in the next life, for their friend.

So many things in almost every culture are conveyed by the Spirit, regardless of whether or not we understand the words. For me at least, in music and prayer that is often the only interpreter I need.

Today’s post is dedicated to someone very special to me who should be turning 41 years old today. I dedicate this Haka Kapa to him as he continues on his next adventure. I will never forget you. My love as well as that of your family is eternal.