Religious Traditions and Music Quiz

Daimoku, 1253, Nichiren

• 13th-century Japanese Buddhist sage Nichiren devised a chant, a way of expressing what he considered "Secret Laws"
• The chant, "Namu myōhōrenge-kyō," is chanted without musical accompaniment for extended periods
• It's meant to show commitment to the Lotus Sutra, one of Buddhism's most important scriptures

Bauls of Bengal, 19th century

• Traveling religious minstrels, primarily from Bangladesh and West Bengal, India
• Believe in the spiritual power of music
• Their songs, passed down orally, focus on a loving relationship with their personal god

Mevlevi dancers, 13th century

• Also known as whirling dervishes, a Sufi Muslim order
• Follow the teachings of 13th-century Persian poet and theologian Jalaluddin Rumi
• Worship God through the Sema ceremony of song and dance
• 18th-century composer Dede Efendi wrote much Mevlevi music.

National anthems, 2022

• Each country has a special song played at significant public events, like sports competitions
• Example- South African women's hockey team's anthem played before a match in July 2022

Māori singers, 1992

• Māori use waiata (songs) and karakia (prayers/incantations) for communication, welcoming, entertainment, and prayers at traditional events.