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CHRISTIAN MISSIONS IN AFRICA AND THEIR ROLE IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF AFRICAN SOCIETIES

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Pavliková-Vilhanová V.

Asian and African Studies

2007

vol. 16

issue 2

249 - 260

The third phase of the missionary movement in Africa, which started from the end of the eighteenth and continued throughout the nineteenth century, in twentieth-century Africa led to the dramatic expansion of Christianity called 'the fourth great age of Christian expansion'. In their attempt to spread the Christian faith, win converts and transform African societies, Christian missions of all denominations opened schools and disseminated education. Scientifically very important was their pioneer work in African languages. By producing grammars, dictionaries, textbooks and translations of religious texts missionaries laid the foundations for literature in African languages. Christian missionary enterprise was no doubt of prime importance in the Westernization of Africa. Africans were, however, not passive recipients of new influences and culture patterns. The adoption of Christianity and the process of cultural exchange were shaped by African choices, needs and efforts to Africanize Africa's Christian experience by securing the roots of Christianity in the African context.

ROLE OF EARLY “MISSIONARIES OF AFRICA” OR “WHITE FATHERS” IN THE STUDY AND DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN LANGUAGES

86%

Pawliková-Vilhanová V.

Asian and African Studies

2011

vol. 20

issue 2

267 – 288

In virtually all regions of sub-Saharan Africa outside the reach of Islam, Africans were introduced to written literature through Christian propaganda. Christian missionaries’ pioneer work in African languages was scientifically very important. Most African languages had at first to be learned and reduced to writing before the difficult but vital task of religious instruction and the preparation, translation and publication of religious texts could be undertaken. Missionaries supplied unwritten African languages with a written form and provided the beginnings of a translated literature. The very first books in most African languages were produced to advance the Christian cause. The linguistic work of early missionaries in Africa is thus crucial for the correct evaluation of the nineteenth and early twentieth century Christian missionary enterprise.

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1 Pawliková-Vilhanová V.

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CHRISTIAN MISSIONS IN AFRICA AND THEIR ROLE IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF AFRICAN SOCIETIES

ROLE OF EARLY “MISSIONARIES OF AFRICA” OR “WHITE FATHERS” IN THE STUDY AND DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN LANGUAGES