Religion is fascinating. Aspects of a culture and community can shine brightly (or chaotically) through the lens of God's camera.
There are many different forms of religions practiced in Malawi, Africa. While living in a remote village there from 2007-2009 I had a goal — to attend a different place of worship each month. Going to churches and mosques there introduced me to the individual weekly routines of my neighbors.
Lots of resources were given and brought into the country on behalf of various churches – become a Jehovah's Witness and get free breakfasts for your kids on school days! Food was motivation enough. Hence, the country was largely practicing Christians.
I am Jewish. This religion was unknown by Malawians, and there was no synagogue to attend. Because the term 'Jewish' had not been heard before, I would use its label for my excuse.
I'm not a perfect anthropologist. I took high advantage of my Judaism and its unknown status during my Assemblies of God month. While attendants were speaking in tongues, I was brought to the front, where the priest put his hand upon my forehead and shouted, “Do you accept Jesus Christ as your savior?" My answer was "I'm Jewish." Because of this, I was allowed to sit again, and saved from the pressure of conversion.
The Anglican church impressed me most with their role taking procedure. As a teacher and community organizer, I know success is all about attendance and participation. Yet I had never before seen a religious institution taking this so highly into action. At the beginning of each Sunday session, the pastor took about 30 minutes to read through a list and call out names of worshippers expected to be attending. For those who did not show, their family name received judgment and guilt from the community for not showing religious responsibility.
One of my neighbors took me to her mosque. Because we were female, we sat on the ground behind where the men were gathered. There was a brick wall built between the men and the women and we would peek through it's cracks in order to see the men speaking and leading the ceremony.
My courageous neighbor! She (very uncharacteristically of a Malawian woman) asked the men to "Speak up, please!" so that we gals could hear them behind the wall.
Fieldwork is the best way to learn. I've decided to try and reinstate my monthly goal, yet this time, to do it domestically. My community here can help me continue to teach myself — both about religion and about them. This month – the local Lutheran Church. Next month – the Church of Latter Day Saints.
