The subtexts of recorded Muslim sermons
Focusing on modern east Africa, the project RMSEA (Recorded Muslim sermons from east Africa) is examining recordings of Muslim sermons in Swahili. The particular countries of interest are Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Having already amassed a collected sermon recordings, efforts are being directed at building a web repository for further research and organising workshops for researchers in both African and Islamic studies. Sermon recordings have been widespread across Muslim countries since the 1980s, but research to date has mostly concentrated on them in the contexts of Arabic and Farsi. RMSEA is extending this field by analysing the production, dissemination, use and social significance of recorded Muslim sermons in the Muslim world beyond the Middle East. The sermons offer insight into opinions on reformism and Muslim history, politics and social life. They speak of marginality and constitute a source of information on doctrinal innovations from abroad. The social and political significance of these sermons differ greatly from one place and audience to another. For example, there are striking contrasts between their role in Zanzibar and in mainland Tanzania and most of Kenya and Uganda, where they typically support private religious reflection. Research aims to explain this contrast and shed light on the subtexts of preachers' claims. Work to date includes processing interviews with preachers, producers, traders and listeners, and preparing journal articles and book chapters on the insights gained. Findings point to the recordings representing above all means of self-improvement rather than political mobilisation, and that listeners do not necessarily consider calls for reform as a mandate for similar action in their own lives. Workshops include one titled "Women, Religion and Power in Modern Africa" and another on "Twentieth-century Societies in East Africa as Post-Slavery Societies". RMSEA offers groundbreaking research and insights into the subtexts of recorded Muslim sermons. Results and outcomes will help differentiate the idea of a massive global wave of Islamism counselling against blind activism and mitigate anti-Islamic prejudice.
Keywords
Muslim sermons, Islam, east Africa, sermon recordings
