In the industrialized cities of Africa, churches with their European style of worship, Western liturgies, languages and music reflect an extensive imported lifestyle. However, unlike most of Europe and North America, the majority of Africans still live in rural settings where centuries of tradition continue to exercise powerful influence. It is in the village life that European Christianity and local customs continue to vie for dominance. The place of music in these societies is one indication of the cultural gulf needing to be bridged. From birth, music and rhythm surround African babies.
Mothers sing and rock their infant imitating the rhythms of drums by chanting nonsense syllables.
Later the children will learn to sing and imitate drum rhythms by rote. Games and stories of the African heritage are put to song. They will be exposed to adult singing and mature songs as they are taken to public ceremonies, rites and dances. Nineteenth century missionaries failed to recognize the strong connection between the soul of Africa and her music. In an attempt to bring this people to their God, the evangelists insisted on dressing them in western clothes, teaching them western hymns badly translated and bringing them to an unemotional, individualistic way of worship.