10. ACCOUNT FOR THE SUCCESSFUL EUROPEAN CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE IN CENTRAL AFRICA

Approach
• Brief background about European Christian missionary enterprise in Central Africa.
• Identify and explain conditions that facilitate the success of missionary in Central Africa.
• Conclude
Background to the question.
•Missionary work in central Africa was fathered by Dr David Livingstone later succeeded by the Livingstonia mission
• Other missionary groups that operated in central Africa include the white fathers, Roman Catholic mission, Baptist mission, London missionary society parish evangelical mission among others.
• Missionary work in central Africa was largely successful in Nyasaland (Malawi).
Reasons for success
1. The presence of many missionary groups like the livingstonia mission, Baptist mission, Roman Catholic mission etc.
2. The diplomatic and friendly approach of missionaries e.g. reverend Helm Convinced Lubengula to allow him operate in Matebele land, Reverend Coillord convinced Lewanika to allow him operate in Lozi 1and.
3. Missionaries gained support of Africans when they condemned inhuman slave trade e.g. among the Amagoche Yao who were tortured by Amachinga Yao slave traders
4. Provision of excellent medical services won the hearts of many Africans for example Dr David Livingstone.
5. Mistrust and loss of ground by traditional religion (mwan and Mlimo Cult) after the disastrous Chimulenga uprising of 1896 -97.
6. Missionaries also used gifts to win African tenders and converts e.g. coillard used gifts to win over Lewanika of the Lozi.
7. Missionaries provided education services this helped them to get interpreters thus reducing the problem of language barrier.
8. The missionaries also had support from their home governments e.g. the London missionary society sought government protection against the hostile Ndebele.
9. In relation to the above the missionaries got support from chartered companies e.g. reverend coillard get support from the B.S.A.C.O.
10. The attractive and humbling nature of the gospel message e.g. love your neighbour as you love yourself, always do good to your enemy.
11. The existence of a rather fair climate especially in Matebele land
12. Presence of navigable rivers e.g. Zambezi eased transport into the interior.
13. The commitment of the missionaries e.g. Dr David Living stone, coillard among others in central Africa.
14. Missionaries were also favoured by the geographical knowledge of the areas in which they operated. Earlier explorers like Dr David Living stone had provided literature about the locations
15. Missionaries constructed a number of mission stations e.g. Inyah, Magonero etc this eased their biblical spread field work since they had organized centres of operation.
16. Use of’ gifts (bribes) to win African convert- and leaders such include mirrors, clothes and guns.
I 7.Missionaries preached against inequality; condemned the social stratify e.g. among the Ndebele, pleasing the least privileged (holi caste).
18. The establishments of full effective colonial control in central Africa b- home government like the Ndebele by the British. They gave them protection.
19. Conflicts among some African groups favoured missionary work for ins: Amagoche versus Amachinga Yao, Mukasa versus Bemba, Mwanga Kabalega.
20. They easily adopted to the local languages. They even translated the-Binto local languages.