India Children's Choir performs Sept. 17 in Kennewick

KENNEWICK, Wash. - Each of the kids who sing with the India Children's Choir comes from a bloodline of fierce headhunters.

Of course, that was nearly a century ago. A missionary named Watkin Roberts introduced the Gospel of St. John to the Hmar chief in 1910, and the old chief liked what he heard.

These days, it's the great-grandchildren of these former headhunters who bring a new form of culture to the world - singing. And the tribe's culture seems to have evolved from head-hunters to heart hunters.

The troupe, which ranges in age from 6 through the early teens, travels to the United States each year with its litany of Christian songs that reflect their East Indian heritage.

The India Children's Choir will make a stop on its American tour Sept. 17 in the Tri-Cities at the First Lutheran Church, 418 N. Yelm St., Kennewick. Admission is free. Concert time is 7 p.m.

The children will sing songs that will take the audience on a musical journey through the tribe's early violent customs to its current practices of being ambassadors for Christ.

The children also will perform the ancient Lamlam, which is a walking dance that depicts the tribe's transition from the ancient days of darkness to the glorious light of the Gospel.

This story was originally published September 12, 2008 at 11:57 AM with the headline "India Children's Choir performs Sept. 17 in Kennewick."