Songs, Dances

The new religion established further laws or taboos against the recreations of the people. The missionary Gill, in discussing the dances that accompanied the old-time dramatic performances, stated:^*

"But the dance itself was invariably connected with very serious evils; so that on the establishment of Christianity, it was abolished."

Gill further explains the evils:^†

"The chiefs, whether married or not, often wore phallic ear ornaments." Thus, to abolish the ornaments, the missionaries abolished the dance.

The dramatic songs that accompanied the dances were also forbidden on the grounds that such entertainment was in honor of the gods. Gill states:

"This inherent idolatrous tendency was one reason for the suppression of these dramatic efforts."

The formation of church choirs and the practicing of hymns took the place of the old classical songs and dances, and a good deal of ancient lore of ethnological value was consequently forgotten.