By Celani Sikhakhane
- Ethekwini Community Church says its Saturday Easter service will use Maskandi music to reconnect worshippers with African heritage and traditional identity.
Bishop Musa Kubheka says the service follows Friday Passover and welcomes everyone in traditional attire, with artists, bishops and reverends sharing one stage.
Worshippers at Ethekwini Community Church in Durban will mark Easter with a service built around Maskandi music and traditional dress.
Church leaders say the event is meant to reconnect people with their roots and challenge old ideas that African ways of worship do not belong in Christianity.
The church is promoting the Saturday service as part of its Easter weekend programme. Maskandi artists will share the stage with bishops and reverends.
Bishop Musa Kubheka told Scrolla.Africa this is not the first time the church has held the event. He said the church calls it Heritage Day and holds it every Easter weekend.
Kubheka said the church leader, Bishop Vusi Dube, has always encouraged members to stay close to their heritage.
He said: “Remember that there’s this notion that Christianity came with white people. That is a pure lie. When Europeans came to this country, they found our forefathers worshipping God.”
Kubheka said the problem started when Europeans distorted the religion and claimed African worship was demonic.
He said: “That is why you find other people hating African roots because they were demonised.”
Kubheka said the Maskandi service will take place after the Friday Passover at Centrum Park, next to Gugu Dlamini Park.
He said everyone is welcome and can come dressed in traditional attire of their choice.
Kubheka also said artists will perform during the service and the church will celebrate the lifestyle of the Bhinca Nation.
Pictured above: eThekwini Community Church (ECC) to celebrate Easter Service with Maskandi Music.
Image source: ECC
